Another dominant win from Welterweight contender @ChidiBangNjoku! #Bellator171 pic.twitter.com/Z8kQkGdz3H
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 28, 2017
On Friday, Melvin Guillard got a chance at redemption after not winning a fight since 2014.
At Bellator 171, Guillard fought Chidi Njokuani in a 179-pound catchweight fight.
Guillard is coming off a knockout win over Dave Rickels that was later overturned into a no contest after Guillard tested positive for banned substances. Guillard lost his three previous fights before Rickels.
Njokuani is going into this fight on a six-fight win streak and is unbeaten in Bellator with three wins. His last two wins had come by knockout.
Both fighters started the fight hesitate to engage. After 90 seconds of almost nothing, referee John McCarthy warned both fighters. Guillard went for a takedown, but the must larger Njokuani stuffed it and pushed Guillard up against the fence. After a low blow separated the fighters, Guillard landed a takedown. However, Njokuani didn’t stay down long. Njokuani began landing vicious strikes with Guillard up against the fence, but he eventually landed an illegal knee to Guillard’s head while he was sitting. The round ended with both fighters grappling up against the cage.
At the beginning of the second round, Guillard went for a takedown but Njokuani stuffed it and ended up on top. Guillard managed to get back to his feet but was quickly back on the ground. Njokuani landed brutal punches and elbows from the top until McCarthy stood both men up. Njokuani then landed a body kick that landed to the liver. The round ended with Guillard attempting a takedown to no avail.
Guillard shot for a takedown to start the final round, but Njokuani stayed on his feet. Njokuani then took Guillard down. For almost the entirety of the round, Njokuani produced damage on top of Guillard. He swarmed him with punches and elbows, but Guillard still managed to finish the fight. In the final minute, McCarthy stood both men up and Guillard managed to take Njokuani’s back. Guillard attempted a rear-naked choke to finish the round.
Official Result:
Chidi Njokuani def. Melvin Guillard by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-24, 30-26)
