A veteran of over 50 professional mixed martial arts contest’s Guillard (32-16-2-3) will enter the Bellator cage looking to record his first official win since scoring a 2nd round TKO stoppage over Gesias Cavalcante in July 2014.
Since that win the 33-year old has dropped a pair split decision losses to Justin Gaethje and Brandon Girtz, followed by 2nd round KO loss to an inform Derek Campos at Bellator 149.
Following those setback’s in early 2016 “The Young Assassin” would record a win over David Rickels at Bellator 159 but the victory would later be ruled a “No Contest” after Guillard failed a drug test.
Njokuani (16-4-1) will enter the cage against his Bellator 171 opponent riding an 8-fight, near 4-year unbeaten run and is being hailed as one of the Scott Coker lead promotions hottest prospects.
Since making his Bellator debut in November 2015, the 28-year old has racked up a hat trick of wins against Ricky Rainey, Thiago Jambo Goncalves and in his most recent fight, he would blitz Andre Fialho within 0.21 seconds of the opening round of their Bellator 167 fight last December.
A 4th successive win for “Chidi Bang Bang” will surely thrust him into title contention and could set-up a potential summer showdown with reigning 170lbs champion Douglas Lima.
Bellator 171 takes place on Friday, January 27, 2017 at The Forum in Mulvane, Kansas and MMA Plus will be on hand to bring you all the up to the minute news and results from this event.
Bellator 171 Main Card
Catchweight: Melvin Guillard vs. Chidi Njokuani
Lightweight: David Rickels vs. Aaron Derrow
Featherweight: A.J. McKee vs. Brandon Phillips
Female Flyweight: Jessica Middleton vs. Alice Yauger
Preliminary Card
Middleweight: Chris Harris vs. Jordan Young
Featherweight: Gaston Reyno vs. Justin Overton
Welterweight: Will Lavine vs. Domo Garcia
Welterweight: Chance Rencountre vs. Jake Lindsay
Bantamweight: Johnny Marigo vs. Joe Fulk
Welterweight: Manny Meraz vs. Scott Heston
Lightweight: Craig Farley vs. Mike Breeden
Heavyweight: Jarod Trice vs. Kevin Woltkamp
Heavyweight: Tyrell Fortune vs. Will Johnson
Female Flyweight: Bruna Ellen vs. Carmella James
