A second U.S.-based combat sports commission has stopped Melvin
Guillard from competing this year.
In January, the
Florida State Athletic Commission denied Guillard’s license to
compete at BKFC: Knucklemania 2 for February. The ruling was
based at least in part on a review of his past fights and
performances. Dating back eight years, Guillard has competed in MMA
and bare-knuckle boxing on 16 occasions, and he has only won one
match. On the other side, he has been finished in eight of those
defeats.
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On Friday, the Colorado Combative Sports Commission determined that
Guillard would not be allowed to compete in its borders on Oct. 15.
“The Young Assassin,” now at the age of 39, was booked against
Evgeny Kurdanov at BKFC 31. He will no longer be competing on this
fight card, due to commission intervention. The news was first
reported by MyMMANews,
and it has since been confirmed by
other outlets. According to a brief follow-up statement issued
to
MMA Fighting, Guillard does not have a license to fight in the
state of Colorado.
“We value the safety of all athletes in Colorado and after further
research have decided to disallow this fight,” the initial
statement from the commission read, per MyMMANews.
Back in January, the Association of Boxing Commissions, helmed by
president Mike Mazzulli, spoke out in support of Florida blocking
Guillard from subsequent competition for health and safety
reasons.
“Many of these [aging] competitors have been affiliated with other
MMA organizations and have been subsequently released by these
promotional companies due to many factors including (but not
limited to) loss of skills, consecutive losses, or injuries,” the
ABC stated. “Lastly, many of these fighters have not fought for
extended periods of time. Therefore, the Association of Boxing
Commission’s Medical Committee is especially concerned that
athletes competing ’recycling’ may be at higher risks for acute and
chronic injuries.”