Two explosive lightweights went toe to toe in Saitama at Rizin FF 11 as former UFC veteran [autotag]Melvin Guillard[/autotag] stepped into [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag]’s back yard and got knocked out after a wild back-and-forth battle.
Guillard started out in typically aggressive fashion with a solid leg kick, followed by a powerful two-punch combination that forced Gomi onto the back foot almost immediately.
Gomi responded by grabbing a single leg, but Guillard shrugged him off and wrestled him into the corner, where he proceeded to land more heavy punches and a solid knee. But with his back against the ropes and with no other option, Gomi fired back and stung Guillard with a thumping left hook that forced the American to back away.
The action then resumed in the center of the ring with the two fighters swinging for the fences and trading huge shots as the Saitama crowd cheered its approval.
Perhaps wary of each other’s power, the two fighters then spent a few moments looking to time each other and not over-commit to their shots. Guillard looked to connect with some kicks from distance, while Gomi stepped in and landed with a couple of winging left hooks. Then came the moment that defined the fight.
After connecting with a right jab, Gomi stepped back to his stance and appeared to roll his ankle, before stumbling briefly to the mat. Spotting his opening, Guillard stepped in and caught Gomi flush as he returned to the feet, but “The Fireball Kid” instantly responded with a right hook that seemed to hurt “The Young Assassin,” who stumbled backward against the ropes.
Gomi saw his moment, moved in and connected with a pair of left hands that sent Guillard to the canvas as he scored a dramatic stoppage victory, then treated the crowd to his version of Tito Ortiz’s iconic “grave digging” celebration.
Rewatch the wild one-round war at Rizin FF 11 via the video above.