UFC’s Guillard adopts new habit — winning

Melvin Guillard used to blame his father's death for most of his personal struggles. He finally turned his life around when he decided instead to heed some of the advice his dad once shared with him.

"I made a lot of excuses for myself because of my father's death, and I regret it now because my father left me and he always told me, 'Son, never live a regret. Never make excuses for yourself. Be a man and take responsibility for whatever you do in life,' " the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight said. "I didn't do that for a long time. I got caught up with drugs and just the negative people around me."

Eliminating the negative influences has been the key for Guillard in turning around his life and career. Clean and sober since a court-ordered rehab stint in 2008 and happily married, the 27-year-old fighter has finally started to fulfill his immense potential in the cage since joining Greg Jackson's camp in Albuquerque, N.M., early last year.

Guillard will look to extend his winning streak to four bouts tonight when he meets Evan Dunham in the main event of the Fight for the Troops 2 card at Fort Hood, Texas.

Guillard has his sights set on winning a UFC title in 2011. He has always possessed the natural ability to do so, but for much of his early career it appeared that his story would be one of wasted potential.

He tested positive for cocaine after a loss to Joe Stevenson in April 2007 and served a suspension, then was arrested for possession in 2008.

He also showed a great deal of immaturity in his stint on "The Ultimate Fighter" and a postfight skirmish with archrival Rich Clementi.

The UFC has stuck with Guillard through it all, largely because of his potential and exciting fighting style. The coaches and fighters at Jackson's camp were also more than willing to work with Guillard.

"So many people have done so much for me and they believe in everything that I do and the skills that I have. I would be selfish not to take what people tell me and put it to use," Guillard said. "So if I was out there still messing up and doing drugs and messing with the negative people, I'm letting down all the people that really believe in me, including the fans. There's so many fans out there now that love me so much that always loved me, and I just felt I was being real selfish."

Guillard decided at the beginning of 2010 to signify his fresh start by declaring himself 0-0 even though he had 34 professional fights on his record.

He now considers his record 3-0 after a successful year and doesn't think he'll ever look back.

"I'm never going to forget all the memorable fights I've had as a young kid and growing up, but coming here and turning over a new leaf and starting my life over again as a fighter and as a person, I just felt it was the right thing to do," he said. "I think mentally, just the things in my past and in my life, I've mentally been broken so many times and I've slowly just crawled myself back to where I won't let any fighter or anyone break me anymore."

Also on tonight's card, Mark Hominick can secure a featherweight title shot against Jose Aldo with a win over George Roop. The same opportunity is not necessarily promised to Roop, putting the pressure squarely on Hominick's shoulders.

Two heavyweight bouts are also featured. Tim Hague returns to the UFC after two impressive wins outside the organization to face unbeaten Matt Mitrione, and Pat Barry will meet Joey Beltran.

The card will take place in front of an audience of military personnel and serve as a fundraiser for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. A telethon will take place during the live broadcast, and an auction is being conducted at fightforthetroops.com.

The broadcast airs live on Spike (Cable 29) at 6 p.m. Two live preliminary bouts will air on Facebook. Fans can access the stream by visiting the UFC's page.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.