Melvin Guillard
Rich Clementi
There's nothing like a good ol' rivalry to keep MMA interesting; nothing like seeing two fighters who can't stand each other go at it. We've had Wanderlei and Rampage, Ken Shamrock and Tito, Ken Shamrock and Don Frye ... heck, Ken Shamrock and just about anybody he's fought.
Anyway, here's two examples that are sure to provide some sparks in the near future:
From MMAweekly's Web site, we have Rich "No Love" Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard:
During an appearance on MMAWeekly Radio in March 2007, prior to his fight with Stevenson, Guillard commented on his feud with Clementi.
“This is a guy I came up under, I looked up to him. Rich, he gets on the Internet, because I became a lot more of a known fighter back home, even before the UFC, before I was on The Ultimate Fighter, I was a known fighter, I took his spotlight,” stated Guillard.
“When I got on The Ultimate Fighter, I guess he was jealous of that. He started saying some ... stuff on MySpace and talking about he knows how to beat me and he built my career, basically saying he made me who I am.”
The rivalry hit a fever pitch when, according to Guillard, Clementi approached him at an event. He again told Clementi they were going to fight and proceeded to punch him in the face.
While many stories came about after the fact, Guillard was quick to point out that he warned Clementi before the altercation ever came to a head.
The severity of the altercation is not known, but neither fighter has any love lost for the other. This grudge match will take place in the lightweight division at UFC 79.
Hammill vs. Bisping vs. Tito vs. Evans;
Michael Bisping fought Matt Hammill at UFC 75. Bisping won a split decision, but there were plenty of people who said it should have gone the other way. Reportedly, there was heat between the two because back on The Ultimate Fighter show, Hamill was rough with some of Bisping's comrades.
'Scuse me, but the name of the game is fighting, right?
Anyway, the two were supposed to rematch, but according to Hamill, the UFC has changed its mind and wants to match Bisping up with somebody else.
Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans fought to a draw at UFC 73. Looks like Tito would have won, but a point was deducted by the ref when Tito grabbed the fence. Then word came that there would be a rematch at the upcoming UFC 77.
But, according to several sources, Tito is either nursing injuries, or holding out for a better contract.
So, looks like we now have Bisping vs. Evans at UFC 78 in November. I've seen a poster of the show, and it looks like that will be the main event, because both fighters are undefeated and both won The Ultimate Fighter titles in different seasons (Rashad won as heavyweight, but has since dropped a weight class).
Both Bisping's win and Evans' draw with Tito were controversial. I say, let Bisping and Evans fight it out, but we need to see the rivalry matches, for closure's sake.
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