Melvin Guillard to make Bellator debut against Brandon Girtz

Veteran lightweight Melvin Guillard will make his Bellator MMA debut against Brandon Girtz on Aug. 28 in Temecula, Calif.

Bellator officials announced the 155-pound matchup on Wednesday. The fight will headline Bellator 141 at Pechanga Resort and Casino.

Guillard (32-14-2) will be fighting for his third promotion in a 19-month span. A former longtime UFC lightweight, he signed with WSOF in April 2014 but requested his release after just two appearances.

Guillard, 32, was scheduled to fight for WSOF on April 10 but was pulled at the last minute after he failed to submit his medicals.

Guillard missed weight before both of his WSOF appearances, one of which was supposed to be for the promotion's title against Justin Gaethje in November. Guillard went on to lose that fight via split decision. He signed with Bellator shortly after his WSOF release.

Girtz (11-4) is 4-2 under the Bellator banner. Seven of his 11 pro wins have come via submission.

"Since signing Melvin in May, we have been anxious to get him inside the Bellator cage," Bellator president Scott Coker said. "Brandon Girtz has performed well for us and will face his stiffest competition to date when he meets the 50-fight veteran.

"I'm really looking forward to the event, as well as returning to one of our favorite venues in Pechanga Resort and Casino."