The Lowdown 06.20.09: Clay Guida
Posted by Frank Fedele on 06.20.2009
Last week we looked at one of the hardest hitters in MMA, Wanderlei Silva. This week we will look at one of the headliners in the upcoming UFC Fight Night on the 19th of June, Clay Guida. Join us as we take a closer look at the Carpenter in the Lowdown.
Last Week Roundup
Wanderlei Silva put up a valiant effort, but lost by decision to Rich Franklin in UFC 99. There were many comments last week on my calling Silva and old fighter. As one reader so aptly put it, there is biological age and there is MMA age. MMA fighting and training take a tremendous toll on the human body. The body only can take so many blows and so many injuries until it begins to break down and not come back as strong. When a fighter starts getting knocked out after his history suggests an iron chin, see also Antonio Nogueira and Chuck Liddell, this trend continues. They begin to show the results of the punishment quicker and succumb to it sooner. In short, they become an old MMA fighter. Silva's martial arts discipline of Muay Thai is also a rather punishing art that also takes a toll on the body. You only have so many blows you can take, after that you start to have issues. Hopefully Silva can come back strong in his next fight, he will still be one of my favorites and one I will cheer every time he steps into the octagon.
This week we will look at one of more entertaining fighters in the lightweight division, Clay Guida.
Background
Clay Guida comes from a wrestling background, wrestling in high school and junior high in his native Illinois. He began to start training in MMA and taking fights in his spare time. His full time job was a carpenter, thus his nickname. Guida is known for his non-stop motor and his intense pace. He tries to out pace his opponent, hoping that they can't keep up with the furious one he is setting. As seen by his 25-6 record, his opponents wear down more often than not.
Clay Guida
He is also known for his wild hair that runs free during his fights. It flows freely and gives him an intense look in the octagon. You would think that all that hair would get in his way, but he seems to be fine with it.
Clay Guida
Previous Fights
Guida started fighting in local events in Illinois is 2003 and eventually began to fight at smaller events in the Midwest. In 2006, he took fights with King of the Cage and Strikeforce, winning the Lightweight title only to lose it shortly after. Guida took one more fight in Japan in 2006 before moving to the WEC and UFC in late 2006. Guida's first fight in the UFC was a submission win over Justin James in UFC 64. Guida then lost his next two fights to Din Thomas and Tyson Griffin before picking up a win in UFC 74 by decision over Marcus Aurelio. Guida was then choked out by Roger Huerta in the Team Serra versus Team Hughes Ultimate Fighter event. Since then, Guida has won three straight wins with his latest over Nate Diaz in UFC 94. Guida's next opponent is the Nightmare, Diego Sanchez.
Guida versus Diaz
Clay Guida's MMA Record Lightweight
2003
Silverback Classic 17, loss to Adam Copenhaver by Submission (choke)
2004
XFO1, win versus Adam Base by Submission (rear naked choke)
XKK–5, loss to Dan Duke
XKK–5, win versus Shawn Nolan
UCS-2, win versus Jed Deno by Submission (choke)
XFO2, loss to Gabe Lemley by Submission (armbar)
Combat-Do Fighting Challenge 1, win versus Billy Guardiola by Submission (ankle lock)
EC 60, win versus Randy Hauer by TKO
XFO4, win versus Vito Woods by Submission (guillotine choke)
MMA Mexico, win versus Dennis Davis by KO
2005
Combat-Do Fighting Challenge 2, win versus Clay Guidiolla by Submission (ankle lock)
XFO5, win versus Brandon Adamson by Submission (rear naked choke)
Combat-Do Fighting Challenge 3, win versus Alex Carter by Submission
XKK – Des Moines, win versus Chris Mickle by Decision
XKK – Des Moines, win versus Alonzo Martinez by Submission (choke)
XFO6, win versus Bart Palaszewski by Decision
Combat-Do Fighting Challenge 4, win versus Jay Estrada by Submission (rear naked choke)
SFO7, win versus John Strawn by Submission (choke)
KOTC – Xtreme Edge, win versus Dave Cochran by Submission (rear naked choke)
IFC9, win versus Jeff Carsten by TKO
XFO8, win versus Joe Jordan by Decision
2006
KOTC – Redemption at the River, loss to Tristan Yunker by Submission (rear naked choke)
Strikeforce: Shamrock versus Gracie, win versus Josh Thomson by Decision
Strikeforce: Revenge, loss to Gilbert Melendez by Decision
Shooto 2006, loss to Yusuke Endo by Submission (arm bar)
WEC 23, win versus Joe Martin by Decision
2007
UFC Fight Night 8, loss to Din Thomas by Decision
UFC 72, loss to Tyson Griffin by Decision
UFC 74, win versus Marcus Aurelio by Decision
The Ultimate Finale 6, loss to Roger Huerta by Submission (rear naked choke) in the 3rd round
2008
UFC Fight Night 13, win versus Samy Schiavo by TKO in the 1st round
UFC Fight Night Diaz vs Neer, win versus Mac Danzig by Decision
UFC 94, win versus Nate Diaz by Decision
Guida has been on a good win streak after coming back from some tough losses in 2007. He has won his last two fights by decision, his frantic pace and numerous take downs allowing him to win rounds. He does have knockout power though, so you need to watch his hands. He does throw somewhat wild, but when they connect they connect hard. He can work on the ground also with his favorite submission being the choke.
Final Thoughts
Guida faces a tough test this weekend with Diego Sanchez. Sanchez can match Guida in intensity in the ring and matches great striking with superior work on the ground. Sanchez has beaten fighters such as Kenny Florian, Nick Diaz, Karo Parisyan and Joe Stevenson. If Guida beats Sanchez, his stock will rise in the Lightweight division for sure.
That is all for this week, please come back next week where we will get the lowdown on another MMA fighter that will be fighting soon and a look at the fight over the weekend. Please take the time to bookmark 411mania.com. One quick step and all the news you need is but a click away.
