Melvin Guillard signs with Bellator MMA

          • Brett OkamotoMay 4, 2015, 12:15 PM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Veteran lightweight Melvin Guillard has signed a multifight agreement with Bellator MMA, according to promotion officials.

          Guillard (32-14-2), who was granted an unconditional release from the World Series of Fighting last week, joins his third promotion in 14 months. The UFC released the 32-year-old in March 2014.

          "We are excited to have Melvin coming onboard," Bellator president Scott Coker said. "With competitors the likes of lightweight champion Will Brooks, Michael Chandler, Marcin Held, Derek Anderson, Saad Awad, Dave Jansen and Patricky Pitbull [Freire] on the roster already, the matchup possibilities for an exciting fighter like him are endless."

          Guillard fought twice under the WSOF banner last year. It was a tumultuous run with the Las Vegas-based company, as Guillard missed weight before each appearance. He went 1-1, including a split decision loss to WSOF champion Justin Gaethje.

          He was expected to compete at WSOF 20 last month, but the promotion pulled him from the event for failing to turn in proper medical documents ahead of the fight.