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UFC 136 Results: Is Joe Lauzon Now a Legit Title Contender?

Tim McTiernan
Oct 8, 2011

Whoa. Who expected that?

Saturday night, Joe Lauzon was able to submit Melvin Guillard only 47 seconds into the first round.

Lauzon caught Guillard with a left hook and stiffened him up, and then as Guillard shot for a takedown, Lauzon was able to stuff it, spin to the back and sink in a rear-naked choke.

Many thought that Guillard was only one or two wins away from a title shot, so now that Lauzon won, and in impressive fashion, did he steal Guillard's hype, and his momentum towards a title shot?

He certainly stole the hype, and the momentum, but he's not yet a legitimate title contender.

Yes, I know that he just beat a top guy in less than a minute, but look at Lauzon's recent history.

In Lauzon's last eight fights, he is 5-3, and this is his first two fight winning streak in two years.

He has dropped fights to George Sotiropoulos, who is on a two-fight losing streak, Sam Stout and Kenny Florian, who couldn't beat the best at lightweight.

Not only that, but in Melvin's win streak, who did he beat that was a top lightweight?

Nobody.

If Lauzon beats another top contender, someone like a Gilbert Melendez, Ben Henderson or Clay Guida, then we'll talk.

Until then, Lauzon isn't ready, and isn't a legit contender.

Be sure to check out Bleacher Report for all thingsย UFC 136. Bleacher Report is your home forย MMA, fromย pre-fight predictionsย toย in-fight coverageย ,ย live resultsย and post-fight analysis...which you can check out on ourย UFC 136 event hub.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everythingย MMA, follow me on twitterย @tmt2393.