Florida Commission Bars Melvin Guillard From BKFC Bout Due to ‘Serious Concern’ in Health

Times are tough for 38-year-old combat sports veteran Melvin Guillard.

According to a release from the Association of Boxing Commissions on Thursday, the Florida State Athletic Commission has denied Guillard’s license to compete at BKFC: Knucklemania 2 on Feb. 19. The event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., was to feature a scrap between Guillard and ex-boxer Ulysses Diaz, but it has been shut down due to a “serious concern” regarding Guillard’s health.

“On the surface, the fight might look competitive,” the release noted, “but after doing due diligence, the Executive Director Patrick Cunningham found a serious concern with the health of Melvin Guillard. In checking the certified ABC record sources, BoxRec and the MMA Database, it was determined Guillard is suspended and requires a Neurological Exam, but even if he cleared that Guillard had lost the past four BKB bouts and had lost nine mixed martial art [fights] in a row. His last fight was at an unsanctioned event in the State of Montana which does not have an operating Commission.”

Guillard is winless in any combat sport, be it MMA or boxing, in his last 14 outings dating back to 2014. This includes four appearances under the Bellator MMA banner, a trip to Rizin Fighting Federation to take on Takanori Gomi and a quartet of unsuccessful encounters under the BKFC banner. Of those 13 losses and a no contest, eight of those have been by some form of knockout. While he did initially pick up a win over David Rickels in 2016, he failed a post-fight drug test and had the victory overturned.

ABC head Mike Mazzulli and the ABC itself have come out in the past to express dissatisfaction with BKFC matchmaking, and the statement focused on those that shuffle aging, deteriorating fighters back into lineups against dangerous foes.

“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. 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.”

Mazzulli expressed relief in the Florida commission scrubbing the matchup, stating, “We can only hope and pray BKFC will reevaluate their rosters and make a very entertaining sport safer for all combatants. If not, the ABC and the member Commissions will be ready to hold their feet to the fire.”