"The Grand" w/ Middleweight Champion Robert Guilliman

There are certain things I can say about the leader of this particular gym. I will choose to not partake in that at this time. One thing I will note is that Real Killas MMA is more than just a gym as far as an establishment. I was present when they did their initial introduction to the world of MMA in their press conference. It is exactly as they described it then, a compound. There’s more than just the gym where the work is done. I wasn’t able to get the full tour of the land but I will admit due to the size of it all I was intrigued. I met with one of the gym’s self proclaimed 75 percent of Union GP Champions, Robert Guilliman, inside the gym shortly after his lunchtime. The Middleweight Champion honorable and respectful as always a great time to get to know one of the most impactful stories in Union Grand Prix.

"The Primarch" Robert Guilliman

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TH: Let me begin by saying it is a pleasure and thank you for your time. I know with Union GP getting back into swing things are headlining fast to action. Let me start by asking this. Union Grand Prix Middleweight Champion, Robert “The Primarch” Guilliman, what does that mean to you personally when that is said?

The Primarch: I must first of all thank you for coming today, and as for your question, well - It has been a great pride and honor to make it all the way to the title, and defending it against none other than the previous champion. But further than that, it is not just personal pride as a fighter, but also as part of the Real KILLAS camp and the 75% of the Union GP titles we have held thus far. Above all else, I have been most blessed to be a part of that, and of whatever contribution I could make to turn the camp into what it is today.

TH: At this point, you’ve won against one man and defended against the same man. There are those pundits who don’t believe you have what it takes to have more than one person’s number in Cristian Bonanno. What do you say to that?

The Primarch: They also said that I couldn’t beat Edan McLeod because he had faced “higher-quality” fighters, and I proved them wrong. They also said I wouldn’t beat Cristian Bonanno the first time. They went pretty quiet after that, I must say. When the rematch came up, it wasn’t him they were predicting to win. So they can keep talking. It means nothing to me. Eventually, they will get on my side again, because that’s what I do. I fight, and I show my skill and quality as a fighter. And that goes above and beyond what any pundit, as versed in statistics and numbers as may be, could ever have to say.

TH: Your background includes being a born and raised Los Angelean. Arcadia High School and Cal State LA you are of LA pure-blood. How special is it to you to be representing your city with a gym within your city such as Real Killas?

The Primarch: There can be no greater honor, and at the same time, no higher stakes. I am aware that this is also a responsibility not only to the Real KILLAS, but of the people of my hometown, the alumni of my school and college, and my family, my mom and dad here in L.A. I know they have been proud of me and will continue to be - but it’s more than about time that I give them something to be even further proud of.

TH: Your second defense is official. It will be against the man that was scheduled for you at UGP 12 but unfortunately was canceled due to the mass controversy and following debacle. We all knew it would come right back around again but what have you been doing with the extra time between the cancellation of UGP 12 to the night of Guilliman vs Reed?

The Primarch: To me, there is just one thing - the grind, the continuous training, and conditioning that we Real KILLAS do. I will be honest. I was upset. I was angry. Not because of any personal glory, but because the event was ruined for the people that come to see us, for the rest of the fighters, and for Aries Reed too, after all the time and hard work he put into getting to this chance. And it was ruined for him, and for all of us, by a group of cheaters that dishonored the sport we all cherish. So I have been taking out my frustrations inside the gym because that’s the one constant in a KILLA’s life - the grind that goes on and ever on. But thankfully I could spare some time to visit the soon to be opening Smith family gym in Florida. Lovely people there, especially my newest acquaintance and friend Giselle. I can recommend the place for people looking to train while in Florida, not only a great facility but also a wonderful staff.

TH: One of the things that have made you stand out as an MMA fighter beyond your skills as an elite level kick-boxer is your overall demeanor. Quite respectful until time calls for otherwise and even then you’ve never seemed too rattled or overly emotional. Is that something that just comes naturally to you or is it just a measure of maturity for the Primarch?

The Primarch: There are times where it comes out natural, because I was raised to be that way, and I’ve held that conduct standard since youth. But when the going gets rough, when there’s someone overly vocal in their disdain and disrespect - that’s when it becomes a self-imposed challenge. Perhaps you have seen it with the people that caused the UGP 12 controversy. As exasperating as they were, I was not about to stoop to their level in the war of words. After all, it’s the weakest dogs that bark the loudest. The ones that are silent are those with the meaner bite.

TH: Beating Aries Reed will officially make you the longest reigning Union GP Middleweight champion in terms of defenses. You’ve already passed in days but with the month layoff is it a serious motivation to put a stamp on this reign in this fashion?

The Primarch: I do not believe it would be fair to consider the length of my days as Champion. I get frustrated by the lack of action, and before the unfortunate cancellation of UGP 12, it was my intention to be the fighter with most defenses, which is something even Cristian Bonanno wasn’t able to do. That motivation remains unchanged. And it is what drives me forward the most.

TH: Here’s a business question. No offense but you know I don’t hold back. The non-exclusive contract with Union GP and being confirmed for the new coming 8 Corners MMA company. Did you put that Business degree to work? How’d you work that out?

The Primarch: The exclusive clause with Union GP was tempting, but I wasn’t born to sit on my title belt and get paid for it. I’m a fighter, it’s what I do. And I knew that Perry Wallace and Phoenix had done a superlative job conquering the wrestling world, so when I was approached with the offer, I did not hesitate for a second. It’s not the money that drives me - only the will to fight and the hunger for glory. Because that is what I’m all about. Honor and glory, above everything else.

TH: This gym in Florida, I have also heard about it a little bit recently. Real quality stuff, would you care to tell us a little more about the place?

The Primarch: State-of-the-art facilities, top quality staff, it’s good for athletes who look for a place to shake off the rust or to have somewhere to train while in Florida. The Smith family is made of wonderful, very caring and attentive people, and they’ll go out of their way to make one feel right at home. The Real KILLAS gym is and will forever be where I belong and the best place to train, but as I said, I wouldn’t mind paying a visit there if I happen to be Florida-bound again.

TH: You said your drive is honor and glory in a time where a lot of the MMA fighters are looking for the huge paycheck. What keeps you humble to focus those things instead of the dollar signs?

The Primarch: Admittedly the money is a nice bonus, but I have been blessed to have lived a comfortable life, so money was not something I really thought of when I decided to be a fighter. That’s why I attended college and graduated after all. Fighting is to me a sport, the best sport to partake in and the ultimate test of one’s character and skills, and the recognition that comes with being good at what one does and to be regarded as one of the best in the world of MMA is to me a better prize than any amount of dollar signs. I want people looking at MMA to say “oh, that’s what that guy Guilliman does”, or some young martial artists or kids looking to take their first steps into martial arts say “I got into this by watching the Primarch”. Perhaps in the future after I’ve retired, some of the newer faces in MMA will say “That Guilliman, man, he was what I want to be.” That’s what I want above all else.

TH: Something else that has been made note of is your age? Not to say you aren’t capable, I just want to know do you take note of the fact you are an elder in many ways yet a youth in the professional timetable?

The Primarch: That is why I drive myself so hard, because this has been the big break in my career, and I wanted to make it big, let’s say. To be at the biggest stage and be successful at it, before the time comes when I must hang up the gloves. And I’m very thankful and very blessed to have achieved that. Of course - this is a story that is still being told, so I’m confident that there will be more things to say ahead.

TH: Where were you before Union GP? I know you’ve had experience in the smaller circuits but what was the journey that eventually brought you to both Real Killas MMA and Union GP?

The Primarch: In the smaller circles I have been I have faced mostly the same faces I trained with, so after I avenged the latest loss I had until then, I looked to expand my horizons, to make it into a bigger stage. That’s when I decided I’d look for a camp to train, and of the offers I received, that’s how I wound up with the KILLA family. And almost immediately, I signed with Union GP, and well, here I am.

TH: You said not too long ago, that it’s the weakest dogs that bark the loudest. The ones that are silent are those with the meaner bite. Many would say in MMA today that Real Killas are the most vocal and overly talkative gym overall. Wouldn’t that be aligning you all as a whole to having the weakest bite?

The Primarch: There is a difference between being proud and confident and simply spewing boisterous words to give people the impression than one is bigger than they are. You will forgive me if I don’t give any names, although I’m certain everyone knows who I’m referring to. Those people, they were always pounding their chest, saying how they’d beat every single last one of us, until they were found out, and then they were silent. Then on the other hand, you have Roscoe Robinson and Hanako Takeuchi. They don’t say any more than they need to - and once they talk, they deliver. I mention them because they are also champions, but the same goes for Donnie Calabrese, Zari Aaliyah, or Byron McCall. When pressed to talk, they will talk - and then they will prove their words. But I can’t blame Gizmo for his approach to social media - that’s just promotion. That’s what turns heads towards the camp, and also a part of why it is as successful as it has been.

TH: This is a question I tend to ask around because it’s still in the works or whispers even with the divisional tournaments upcoming your thoughts on going up a weight class or the concept of catchweight fights in Union GP?

The Primarch: I admit I haven’t thought that far yet, it is something I will have to ponder depending on how the tournament goes. For the moment, my greatest interest is to become the best Middleweight Champion Union GP has ever had, and that must translate not just to the amount of time, but of defenses as well. That’s why the tournament is my biggest focus, and more so the fight with Aries Reed.

TH: When it comes to your downtime days, every fighter gets at least one. What do you usually end up doing when you aren’t in the gym?

The Primarch: I mostly spend time with family and friends. I also volunteer with youth programs in my community, that’s something I have been doing since college. I go to rec centers and do some basic MMA classes with kids and that sort of thing. I also participate in their football practice, since I played in high school and college as well. And during this downtime off UGP I have worked with Dean Smith, who was training to become Invictus Champion in Millennium Wrestling. That’s how I became acquainted with the Smith family, and also how I met Giselle in their gym.

TH: In The Grand fashion, I leave the last quote to you. Any comments or thoughts toward the MMA world in general? You have the floor Primarch.

The Primarch: There are great things happening in the world of MMA now. We have the new tournaments in Union GP, we have the opening of 8 Corners, and I intend to make this new boom in MMA even greater, starting with the UGP Middleweight Title tournament. All that is left for me to say is keep watching the KILLAS and the Primarch, because the great endeavor that we have done is only bound to be greater from here on out. We are the Real KILLAS, and we KNOW. NO. FEAR.