Scott Coker: Melvin Guillard may undergo surgery today or tomorrow

Bellator President Scott Coker said he ran into Melvin Guillard at this past Friday’s Bellator 141 and discovered the veteran lightweight had suffered a “clean break” of his right hand.

Guillard, who lost a split-call to Brandon Girtz in the event’s headliner, will now walk the road to recovery after his debut setback, the promoter told MMAjunkie Radio.

“He’s going to go to the doctor today and maybe have surgery today or tomorrow,” Coker said today. “I wish him a speedy recovery.

“It was a fight that was interesting, and he almost pulled it out at the end. It didn’t work out, but man, it was really close.”

Bellator 141 took place at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif., and aired live on Spike TV.

Girtz (13-4 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) repeatedly took down Guillard (34-14-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) and survived a last-minute counter-charge from the quick-handed fighter, earning the biggest win of his career. Guillard suffered his second straight defeat since a previous decision loss in the WSOF, which released him earlier this year amid a fallout with management.

Coker said he wasn’t aware of the extent to which Guillard was injured until after the fight and praised the fighter’s toughness during the bout.

“When (Guillard) started throwing those knees and unloading on (Girtz), I didn’t realize his hands were broken,” he said. “But he told me, ‘I just let my hands go. I knew my hands were broke, but I just let it go. But I could only do it two or three times and knew I was in pretty big trouble.’ I think that was ultimately what cost him the fight.”

MMAjunkie was unable to reach Guillard for an update on his injury status.

For complete coverage of Bellator 141, check out the MMA Events section of the site.