"It's that time": Melvin Guillard announces retirement after breaking 11-year losing streak

Melvin Guillard has always been a standout figure in MMA, with stories revolving around highs, lows, and pure toughness. On Saturday night, he finally got what he wanted. The 42-year-old highly dedicated fighter finally got the ending he deserved.

The breakthrough victory led to unexpected turns

At Ragin FC in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Guillard knocked out Terry Wiggins in just 27 seconds. The breakthrough milestone was that it was his first MMA win since 2014. After over 11 years without a victory, he finally nailed it. And after it was over, Guillard did what most fans knew was coming. He retired.

“It’s that time,” he said, standing in the cage. “I’ve had over 200 fights, it’s been a great run, but I’m ready to move on.”For people who started watching MMA in the 2000s, Guillard was impossible to miss. Nicknamed “The Young Assassin,” he was explosive, unpredictable, and could end a fight in seconds. From 2008 to 2011, he had a run where he won eight of nine fights, and it looked like he was right on the doorstep of a title shot.Also Read: "Don’t want to get beat up": Tom Aspinall talks about mental pressure ahead of UFC 321 showdown with Ciryl Gane

The struggles for 11 long years

But fighting is unforgiving. Guillard’s form slipped, losses piled up, and he could never quite get that magic back.

His UFC career ended at 12-9 (1 NC), and after leaving, things only got rougher. He went 2-12 in his next 14 MMA bouts and even tried bare-knuckle boxing, where he picked up a couple of knockouts but struggled overall.

That’s why Saturday’s win mattered. It wasn’t for rankings, belts, or contracts. It was personal. It was proof that after all these years, he could still end a fight with one clean shot. And it gave him the chance to walk away on a high, not a low.Guillard leaves the sport with a pro MMA record of 33-24-2 (2 NC). But stats don’t tell the whole story. He fought anyone, anywhere, and entertained fans for over 20 years. He was never boring, and that’s rare in this game.