UFC on FX: Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller Vying for Title Shot

Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller may be top lightweights in the UFC, but they are still hurting.

After both lost their last fights, Ben Henderson has emerged as the next lightweight challenger for Frankie Edgar.

That doesn't mean Guillard and Miller aren't fighting for something.

Despite their losses, Guillard and Miller are certainly in contention for the next shot at the title. Whoever wins on Friday night could emerge as the front-runner.

Miller had won seven straight fights in the UFC before losing to Henderson. However, he did have a legitimate excuse for his loss. He was coming off mononucleosis and a kidney infection. His wrestling skills are spectacular, and he's not a bad boxer, either.

As for Guillard, he had won his last five UFC fights before losing to Joe Lauzon in October. His explosive striking ability is hard to ignore and his takedown defense is solid. The biggest problem for him is that he gets a little too excited and/or greedy during some fights, pressing the action and not fighting in a complete rhythm.

Who will win this fight? I see it going to Miller.

First of all, I feel Miller has a better mental game than Guillard from what I've seen. Guillard, as mentioned, is prone to attacking too aggressively. That can make him very inconsistent.

While Miller had a legitimate excuse against Henderson, Guillard suffered a major upset against Lauzon because his head simply wasn't in the Octagon.

Guillard always has the ability to knock out Miller with his devastating hands. However, I expect Miller to fight a smarter fight, picking his spots and eventually getting Guillard on the ground, where he can use his excellent submission skills.

I could see Guillard beating Miller if his mental game was there. In fact, I could see him being a challenge for Edgar if his mental game was there.

But I'm just not confident enough that Guillard will fight smart on Friday. His last fight concerned me. Also, I believe he has some things he needs to work out before he contends for the title.

Guillard will suffer his second straight defeat on Friday, while Miller will go on to have a shot at the lightweight title.