Issue 102

If Melvin Guillard was to describe his career in mixed martial arts in four words we’d assume the TUF alumnus would say ‘life is a rollercoaster.’

He left the desert of New Mexico, where he trained at the famous Jackson-Winkeljohn’s gym, to join the Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida.

However, after just a year his situation changed again and now the UFC veteran is down in Denver, Colorado, training with esteemed striking coach Trevor Wittman at Grudge Training Center.

It’s been a whirlwind period for Gillard, and here photographer Tom Bear captures a steely moment of focus around the time Guillard dropped his second in a row in the UFC – an unenviable position for a fighter. As he runs alone on the treadmill, Guillard is finally able to put life into perspective. For the New Orleans native there’s no more time nor room for drama, just a chance to rediscover the taste of victory.