Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (22-9) is one of the most exciting lightweights in the UFC today. His fights against Tyson Griffin at UFC 72 and Roger Huerta at The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale were two of the most intense fights of 2007.
And while he’s just 2-3 in the UFC, Guida’s record is deceiving. Many think his split decision loss to Griffin should have gone the other way, and he was likely up two rounds to none on Huerta before eventually getting caught in a rear naked choke early in the third round after a well timed head kick by “el Matador.”
Guida looks to get back on track with his next challenge against Samy Schiavo at UFC Fight Night 13 on April 2. Schiavo (10-4) is well-rounded and trains with the French Top Team. He will be making his UFC debut.
Guida took time to talk with us about his upcoming fight with Schiavo, the skills that a true title contender needs to have and the reason Huerta might not be ready yet for a title shot, and … of course … his hair.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): I actually re-watched your fights with Tyson Griffin and Roger Huerta just last night. When you fought Huerta, you looked to have won the first two rounds before getting caught in the third. Did you gas yourself at the end of round two, trying to finish Roger?
Clay Guida: I wouldn’t say I gassed myself. I definitely tried to finish the fight. I’ve been struggling with that the last couple of fights with Din Thomas and Tyson Griffin. I didn’t want to see it going into the judges’ hands, especially being that Roger is undefeated in the UFC. I didn’t want to see it go to the judges’ scorecards because you never know, I might have been up two rounds in one judge’s eyes, but the other two, who knows.
I just wanted to slug it out, try to get the TKO or whatever. I think if you look at my body or my emotions, it probably looked like I was tired, but I left it all out there to try and finish that fight. So I wouldn’t say I was gassed, more just desperation to finish the fight.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well it was an outstanding fight. I think that one actually is my favorite fight of 2007.
Clay Guida: I appreciate it, man. It was one of my favorites.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Yeah, unfortunately it ended the wrong way for you. It must be extremely frustrating to be so close to victory, as you were with Roger, only to have it snatched away in seconds. How do you bounce back from that?
Clay Guida: Just always keeping a positive attitude, man, being thankful for where I’m at in my life and where I’m at in the UFC and in mixed martial arts, and in my career at such a young age.
You know, you can’t let these things get to you as a fighter. If you think about something too much, you tend to dwell on it, and it starts to eat at you too much. So I always think about it from a positive standpoint and say, hey, it could be worse. I could be 0-5 in the UFC — and obviously 0-2 or 0-3 in the UFC, you’re not going to be in the UFC, you know.
But at some point you look at the positive and say, hey, I’m potentially 4-1 or 5-0 in the UFC, depending on some people’s outlooks, and maybe what Dana White and Joe Silva, who really make the difference, feel…You know, if you take a look at some of my fights that are close enough that could have gone either way.
So I try not to let this stuff eat at me, I use it as motivation, and I just train that much harder in the gym every day.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): In your fight with Griffin, I thought that you had won the fight, but obviously, the judges disagreed. You have a history of very close, highly competitive fights, during which the judges need to be able to see everything that is and isn’t happening inside the cage. Do you think that your hair has ever been a detriment in a match, because, theoretically, it could shield the judges from seeing something that might NOT be happening to you?
Clay Guida: Ah, without a doubt. Every time I get jabbed, my hair goes flying and it looks like I’m getting hurt and stuff like that, but you can see I’m not. Don’t get me wrong, punches don’t feel great, I don’t care who you are. People might say they don’t hurt, but…but it’s not like (the jabs) are hurting me, you know, you don’t see my knees buckle or anything.
I don’t get rocked very easily. My brother and I take pride in having a tough chin and just being tough dudes, I guess you could say. But it definitely does play against me, I think, having long hair. Hopefully, I can get some of the judges that have seen my fights to look at the bigger picture than just a few jabs that get through.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): In your fight with Roger, your wrestling skills seemed too much for him. You were taking him down with ease, with single legs and double legs. How do you feel his wrestling skills measure up to other contenders in the Lightweight Division?
Clay Guida: He makes up for…I wouldn’t say lack of talent, because he’s getting better every day, just as the rest of the lightweight division is. But he makes up for it to be, what I would say is a title contender, with a lot of heart. As you can see, he was down two rounds to none, and he came back and caught me with a knee that sent me into slow motion, kind of. A lot of that is his heart, not giving up, never say die attitude, you know.
But if I were to say … I really don’t think, and I think the UFC saw that he’s not really ready for a title shot yet. You know, you gotta be able to at least defend the shots, or sprawl somewhat, and there was no sign of his Division III wrestling background in that fight at all.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Where did you go to school?
Clay Guida: I went to Harper Junior College just outside of Chicago. We won a national title. I was never like an All-American or anything, I started at 149, I wrestled with some of the best dudes in the country.
But I peaked in college. Everyone peaks at different times, some peak in high school. I started picking it up a lot better in college and carried it over into MMA, I think, very well. As opposed to some three-time Division III or Division II All-American who can’t even get a takedown in a fight because they constantly wear themselves dry, shooting and shooting and getting stopped.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well like you said, you’re now 2 – 3 in the UFC and could just as easily be 4-1 or even 5-0. You’re set to face Samy Schiavo at UFC Fight Night 13. How badly do you need this win?
Clay Guida: Oh, more than any fight. I put this above my last couple of fights, even more so than the Marcus Aurelio fight, you know. I gotta have this win. Granted, the UFC does like to see exciting fighters, but if you don’t have a winning record or a .500 record, you’re probably going to be sitting on a shelf somewhere in the UFC for six to eight months, or they’re just going to do away with you, and you can go fight on the other cards that are aired once every four or five or six months.
The UFC is my home right now, and I aim to keep it that way. I’m going to try to put Samy to rest and work very quickly, hopefully in the first or second round, and move onto bigger and better things.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Schiavo seems to be fairly well-rounded, with wins via KO, TKO and submission. He’s also on a six-fight win streak. How have you been preparing for him?
Clay Guida: I’m working a lot of standup, a lot of cover, because he’s very explosive. He’s no one to look past, because it’s those dangerous strikers—those are the guys who will catch you when you’re looking for that takedown right away, or too quickly, or if you rush in.
I’ve been working on my takedowns, obviously, because we’re looking to get it to the ground. I don’t want to stand with him too long, but every round starts on the feet. I’m looking to trade for a little bit, but I’m sticking to my game plan.
Who knows, he might try to surprise me with a takedown, try to catch me off guard. But we work a lot of bad positions on the ground. I saw a bunch of opportunities against Huerta where I should have finished the fight, at least a handful of times where I could have finished the fight and didn’t. We’re not going to make that same mistake against Samy Schiavo because it might come back to bite us.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Do you find it difficult to prepare for this fight, given that it’s a dark match, it’s not on the televised portion of the card, and your last fight with Huerta was the main event?
Clay Guida: I actually find this one easier to prepare for. Roger I think was an easy fight to prepare for, being that his style is so unorthodox, he throws looping punches, things like that, everything is very wild, and you pretty much know what to expect. If I could throw punches right down the middle, which is what we did, and we tee off on them. Everything that I threw landed. I think 90 percent of the punches that I threw landed, at least my hands felt like that the next day or so, you know, being that they were sore and whatnot.
This fight, I think, is even easier to prepare for because I gotta get back in the winning column. The undercard fights are more important than any of them, I believe. If you lose on the undercard, where do you go next? You’re probably not going to be fighting in the UFC. So yeah, this one’s very easy to prepare for.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): How many fights do you have remaining on your contract?
Clay Guida: I believe three.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Have you spoken with Joe Silva or any UFC brass about your future in the UFC?
Clay Guida: They want me to be part of the UFC for a long time. My manager keeps in good contact with them, I speak with Joe on a monthly basis. He’s a busy guy. He’s obviously talking with all the other managers and sponsors and stuff for the UFC. But they want me to be around for a long time, they know I put on exciting fights, but they also aren’t going to treat me any different than the other fighters. I gotta be winning fights to be sticking around.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Have you ever fought lower than 155?
Clay Guida: No, you know what, when I first started fighting, every once in a while in an amateur fight, I’d do a couple of catch-weights, like at 160, 165. I didn’t think that I would be fighting professionally for a living or whatever. And yeah, I haven’t gone below 155, but you know, I’d love to get that belt at 155 in the next year or so, and maybe move on from there.
I wrestled 149 in college, and I didn’t know my body as well then as I do now, but 145 might be something in the future, but a ways down the road, though. I want to concentrate on that lightweight title in the UFC first.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well it all starts at Fight Night 13. Speaking of which, who do you like in the Kenny Florian/Joe Lauzon fight?
Clay Guida: I like Joe Lauzon. I think he’s very well rounded, he’s up and coming. Kenny’s the same too—he’s good everywhere. I think his takedown defense lacks where he needs to be in order to be in the title shot. But I think Joe is dangerous and I think he’s going to bring everything to the table, and I don’t know if Kenny Florian is going to have an answer for it. So I’d like to see Joe Lauzon pick up the victory in that fight.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Picking the upset, huh?
Clay Guida: You betcha, buddy. I like the underdogs, man.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): If you could fight any fighter in the world, who would you fight?
Clay Guida: Any fighter in the world?
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well hell, anybody, you can pick Gandhi if you want.
Clay Guida: You know I’d have to say the guy who has my belt right now, and that’s B.J. Penn. I look up to him, he’s a master in the sport. He’s pretty much proven to me that he’s, I think, the greatest fighter out there around my weight class, and I’d like to, after a few more wins, get a shot at him.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. Do you want to thank any sponsors, and do you have any parting words for your fans?
Clay Guida: Definitely, I’d like to thank all my fans and my friends and family for all their support. They’re coming out to all the shows and leaving it out there just as I do in the cage. I leave everything in there, and I want no regrets. I’d like to thank MMAStop.com, John Fasco and a couple of my buddies and Premier Fighter as well, couple of my main sponsors and also the carpenter’s union — Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. They’ve been behind me since day one. And I’d like to thank MMAmania, you guys, for helping me out and getting me some airtime.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Are you a legitimate carpenter?
Clay Guida: Yep, that’s what I did before I was fighting. I first started with a non-union company, and then started working in the unions. Even before that I was a fisherman, dude, I lived out in Alaska and worked on a big fishing boat. But that was pretty crazy.
Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Right on, Clay. Well I’m a big fan of yours, and I look forward to seeing more of you in the UFC — and well hell, anywhere for that matter — but it’s always nice talking to you, man, I appreciate it.
Clay Guida: Adam, thank you, and I appreciate all the support. Tell all the fellas I said hey, what’s up.
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I really hope the Carpenter gets the W. He needs it. He’s actually too exciting to fighting on the undercard or outside the UFC for that matter.
i love this guy he throws it all out there and doesnt give up hope he gets the win also
i put a lot of money on guida last fight and everything was going according to plan until he lost. ha
yo mania…your contact info doesn’t work, or at least didn’t for me..
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Guida is a warrior! he’s just been unlucky. No-one will ever just walk over him, I think he’s a dangerous match up for any one at 155. I love to watch him fight
Clay Guida is another one of the reasons I love watching the 155 pounders. Guy shows an amazing amount of energy and heart. Never a question that a Guida fight is going to be good. Hope he’s able to win the next fight.
A true contender at 155. Here’s a guy deep down inside everyone is cheering for!
good interview mania.. im a huge fan of clay too.I Hope someday too that he obtains the belt.
Everyone is a Clay fan. You can’t not like the guy. I remember last summer discussing the idea of my two favourite LWs fighting; Clay and Roger, then it actually happened. I sided with Clay in the end.
interesting to hear his thoughts on jlau/kenflo. i thought he’d pick kenflo due to his technicality and rapid improvment rate, not to mention kenny did well against din, who he lost to.
clay guida is a warrior and win or lose will always have a great fight he leaves everything in the octagon everytime
Hey Mania, we should have a contest and the winner gets to have an interview with you.. I’m curious to see how many people you have on staff, do you have another job, and what’s your relationship with Jesse like.. You should really do it.
the most exciting fighter in MMA, in my opinion…. this guy is to MMA what Ward or Gatti were to boxing…. all heart, balls out warrior. This guy should have a UFC contract for as long as he wants one.
Word up.
Clay Guida is a warrior. Screw his UFC record. The guy brings it in every fight. He doesn’t fight to not lose like some guys with better records. He comes in there to bang it out.
Gotta respect that.
In another direction:
After the Sherk vs. Penn match, how do you guys rank the LW division? Who get’s the next shot at the title at 155?
Huerta?
Florian if he beats Lauzon?
Frank Edgar?
The LW division is exciting to watch, but, there’s a big drop off between Penn and the rest of the division. I’d like to see Gomi or JZ in the UFC.
[quote comment=”369877″]Hey Mania, we should have a contest and the winner gets to have an interview with you.. I’m curious to see how many people you have on staff, do you have another job, and what’s your relationship with Jesse like.. You should really do it.[/quote]
Relationship? Haha…that’s a good one.
There is a dropoff after Penn goes without saying. He is one of the tops in the World if not all time. I think you would have to throw Huerta, Florian, Edgar, Sherk and Stevenson at each other and see who comes out of that.
[quote comment=”369961″][quote comment=”369877″]Hey Mania, we should have a contest and the winner gets to have an interview with you.. I’m curious to see how many people you have on staff, do you have another job, and what’s your relationship with Jesse like.. You should really do it.[/quote]
Relationship? Haha…that’s a good one.[/quote]
Haha it’s only because you guys always take little stabs at each other whenever the time presents itself. Who came up with mmamania.com idea??
Or should I say who came up with the ufcmania.com idea??
[quote comment=”369993″][quote comment=”369961″][quote comment=”369877″]Hey Mania, we should have a contest and the winner gets to have an interview with you.. I’m curious to see how many people you have on staff, do you have another job, and what’s your relationship with Jesse like.. You should really do it.[/quote]
Relationship? Haha…that’s a good one.[/quote]
Haha it’s only because you guys always take little stabs at each other whenever the time presents itself. Who came up with mmamania.com idea??[/quote]
Sounds good. I’m down. However, I’m not sure how many people here share your curiosity.
WARRR GUIDA!!!!!
[quote comment=”370011″][quote comment=”369993″][quote comment=”369961″][quote comment=”369877″]Hey Mania, we should have a contest and the winner gets to have an interview with you.. I’m curious to see how many people you have on staff, do you have another job, and what’s your relationship with Jesse like.. You should really do it.[/quote]
Relationship? Haha…that’s a good one.[/quote]
Haha it’s only because you guys always take little stabs at each other whenever the time presents itself. Who came up with mmamania.com idea??[/quote]
Sounds good. I’m down. However, I’m not sure how many people here share your curiosity.[/quote]
im curious how this site got started too…ive gone to it ever since it was started
[quote comment=”370011″][quote comment=”369993″][quote comment=”369961″][quote comment=”369877″]Hey Mania, we should have a contest and the winner gets to have an interview with you.. I’m curious to see how many people you have on staff, do you have another job, and what’s your relationship with Jesse like.. You should really do it.[/quote]
Relationship? Haha…that’s a good one.[/quote]
Haha it’s only because you guys always take little stabs at each other whenever the time presents itself. Who came up with mmamania.com idea??[/quote]
Sounds good. I’m down. However, I’m not sure how many people here share your curiosity.[/quote]
True, but the fact of the matter is that this is your site (I think). There would only be one thread out of the thousands that you have accumalated so far. The one thing that makes mmamania.com so unique is that us readers can actually communicate with the site’s moderator(s). All the other sites have a large staff acting as one person. Let’s do it!! I have some questions that I’m burning to ask.. I bet the thread would get a lot of posts too.. You will never know until you try.
clay is a very exciting fighter , no doubt about it! i love watchin his fights, but i dont understand why fighters bring up all this division I II stuff etc. It really doesnt matter! u can get caught at any point like he did against huerta! So all these division I records and all-american shit means nothing when u step into the ring…ask lesnar!
At the end of the night, all that matters is a win no matter how you do it. Heres to huerta and clay both! they always bring it and are without a doubt, the two most exciting fighters in their division IMO.
Honestly, Clay is such a performer in his fights, the guy could go winless for the rest of his career and I would still pay to watch him fight.
Being that the man has the heart he does and the skill he possesses, I’m sure he’ll be getting more W’s in the future. Would love to see him grow in the UFC.
Who knows what a monster he could be in 2-3 years? Maybe Guida vs. Huerta is a sign of Main Events to come???
Clay Guida by wuteva he wants; this guy is awesome. I also like Lauzon in his upcoming fight. (See what Diego did to Florian for an e.g.)
I hate tyson griffin, our boy Clay got totally robbed of the win in that fight!!!
I’m a fan of The Carpenter.
You should have asked him how surprised he was Huerta recovered from that punch when he was on his knees.
Wow. Is this the first time everyone has agreed about one fighter? Kumbaya next? lol.
Naw, but on the reals, Clay F—— rocks!!
[quote comment=”369508″]yo mania…your contact info doesn’t work, or at least didn’t for me..
so without further ado, and apologies for breaking up the discussion with some t&a, while trolling some freebee sites, i came across quite a few videos of our new UFC ‘horseface’ bimbette edith labelle…aka anabelle…
enjoy..or…not…
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very nice!! Good find man
Guida is actually as down to earth in real life as he comes across in interviews. Clay is there everytime the XFO holds a show, signing autographs and talking with all the fans.
Clay trains from time to time with my friend who fights as well and actually used to beat Guida in wrestling in high school. Anyway, my brother won his fight at the XFO, and he had talked to guida a couple of times before due to the mutual friend, and Guida offered and bought him and a couple of other fighters dinner afterwards, no joke! Clay is a great guy with a ton of heart, he epitomises what the UFC stands for.
Guida is the man. I’d love to see him get a good win streak going…
Everybody loves Clay Guida!
I’m selling the bumber stickers on my website right now.
I am disappointed that he is on the undercard…
[quote comment=”370822″]Wow. Is this the first time everyone has agreed about one fighter? Kumbaya next? lol.
Naw, but on the reals, Clay F—— rocks!![/quote]
This is definitely the first time that I can think of that there hasn’t been a negative comment about a fighter.
So here we go, I hate Clay Guida…………………’s hair. That is about all I can think of.
I would like to see Clay win this fight by knock out or ground and pound. He deserves a decisive victory.
I think he needs to change his nickname to Captain Caveman.
The “People’s Warrior” is a pretty stupid nickname if you ask me, but if anyone deserves it, its Clay Guida. Not that arrogant, cocky, “just realizing that I’m overrated” Josh Burkman. I mean, how many people like that guy?
Anyone know where I can find the second part to Clay Guida Road Trippin’? Here’s the first part. I saw the second part before I think but I want to see it again. It’s not on insidefighting.com anymore. At least I can’t access it. If you haven’t seen it it’s worth a look for Clay fans which by the looks of things is everyone.
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/clay+guida/video/x3ozk8_clay-guida-road-trippin-pt1_sport
I really enjoy watching Clay but I disagree with his assessment of Huerta’s skills. I also disagree that he was ahead two round to none. Huerta was aggressive on the feet and landing way more shots on the feet, didn’t fear the takedown because, as he showed, just reversed the position and got right back up. In that final round, Huerta actually UTILIZED
The only reason people on here like him is because he losses. If he was winning then he would be the anti-Christ in some members eyes and we would be split 50/50. But since he is exciting, personable, and a crowd pleaser everyone loves him. Except me!
Compare him to Huerta. Huerta is down to Earth, exciting, personable, BUT he wins, so some/a lot, dont like him. They are identicle in many ways, but yet so many people dislike Huerta.
takedown defense and sprawled. Clay could not take him down and was finished shortly thereafter. I think it had more to do with being willing to fight from the bottom if he got taken down than fight tenatively on the feet. It is the MMA conundrum of scoring in how much value you put on a takedown without much offense or control to follow.
I dont care what Guida’s record is. I would continue to get excited about his fights if he is 0-10 as long as he keeps bringing it the way he does.
I thought he deserved the win against Tyson Griffin.
Cant wait to find out who Huerta will be fighting next. I expect to see him take on a top notch opponent at the UFC even that will be held in Minnesota that features the Brock vs. Coleman fight.
Also, I have to agree with Clay, I have a feeling Joe Lauzon is going to surprise Kenny and TKO him in the 1st round!
[quote post=”5354″]I also disagree that he was ahead two round to none. [/quote]
I think Guida was up 2 rounds to zero. I think Huerta believed so as well. That’s actually the first time I have heard someone say that that fight was even going into the third. I thought Guida clearly won rounds one and two.
[quote post=”5354″]Compare him to Huerta. Huerta is down to Earth, exciting, personable, BUT he wins, so some/a lot, dont like him. They are identicle in many ways, but yet so many people dislike Huerta. [/quote]
There is one reason why Huerta has his UFC record and Guida has his - LEVEL OF COMPETITION. Clay Guida has been Roger Huerta’s toughest fight to date BY FAR. Up until then, he has only fought UFC newcomers brought in for the sole purpose of padding Huerta’s record. They can do a “Where are they now” for all of his previous opponents - Jason Dent, John Halverson, Doug Evans, Alberto Crane. And Leonard Garcia was a first timer in the UFC as well, but I am a big fan of the Bad Boy so I ain’t including him in the same group as those cans listed above.
Then on the other Clay Guida fought an unkown in his first UFC fight that was of course on the undercard, but at the time, Guida was unkown as well (unless you watched StrikeForce). After his first fight with Justin James, he has fought Din Thomas, Tyson Griffin, Marcus Aurelio and of course, Roger Huerta. Thomas and Griffin are undoubtedly Top 10 in the UFC LW Division, but Aurelio has not yet performed up to expectations. I still don’t know how one judge ruled that fight in favor of Marcus. Guida clearly won that fight 30-27, just as two of the judges saw it.
I’ve watched and watched and watched the Guida/Huerta fight.
Round One is likely Guida. Worst case scenario is that the judges would be split on Round One.
Round Two is DEFINITELY Guida. No doubt about it.
In Round Three, I think Guida looked gassed, although he doesn’t put it that way. Regardless, the head kick Huerta landed did the trick, and allowed Huerta time to take Guida’s back.
Don’t get me wrong, i think Huerta deserves credit for weathering the storm and timing a great head kick. But Guida deserves mad props for putting on an amazing display of wrestling skills. He was taking Huerta down at will.
If my memory serves me, didnt Huerta have 2 opponents pull out due to injuries? I cant remember which ones pulled out.
You can also say the same thing about Guida that Huerta is his toughest opponent to date. Maybe Tyson?? But I would expect Huerta to walk through, sans Tyson, every opponent that Guida has fought.
[quote comment=”371108″]The only reason people on here like him is because he losses. If he was winning then he would be the anti-Christ in some members eyes and we would be split 50/50. But since he is exciting, personable, and a crowd pleaser everyone loves him. Except me!
Compare him to Huerta. Huerta is down to Earth, exciting, personable, BUT he wins, so some/a lot, dont like him. They are identicle in many ways, but yet so many people dislike Huerta.[/quote]
-couldnt of said that any better about huerta!!
you brin a very good point, i think people just choose to hate some of these fighters because of who they are, or were they come from IMO! I mean why would anybody hate on huerta, i dont get it???
[quote comment=”371310″][quote post=”5354″]I also disagree that he was ahead two round to none. [/quote]
I think Guida was up 2 rounds to zero. I think Huerta believed so as well. That’s actually the first time I have heard someone say that that fight was even going into the third. I thought Guida clearly won rounds one and two.
[quote post=”5354″]Compare him to Huerta. Huerta is down to Earth, exciting, personable, BUT he wins, so some/a lot, dont like him. They are identicle in many ways, but yet so many people dislike Huerta. [/quote]
There is one reason why Huerta has his UFC record and Guida has his - LEVEL OF COMPETITION. Clay Guida has been Roger Huerta’s toughest fight to date BY FAR. Up until then, he has only fought UFC newcomers brought in for the sole purpose of padding Huerta’s record. They can do a “Where are they now” for all of his previous opponents - Jason Dent, John Halverson, Doug Evans, Alberto Crane. And Leonard Garcia was a first timer in the UFC as well, but I am a big fan of the Bad Boy so I ain’t including him in the same group as those cans listed above.
Then on the other Clay Guida fought an unkown in his first UFC fight that was of course on the undercard, but at the time, Guida was unkown as well (unless you watched StrikeForce). After his first fight with Justin James, he has fought Din Thomas, Tyson Griffin, Marcus Aurelio and of course, Roger Huerta. Thomas and Griffin are undoubtedly Top 10 in the UFC LW Division, but Aurelio has not yet performed up to expectations. I still don’t know how one judge ruled that fight in favor of Marcus. Guida clearly won that fight 30-27, just as two of the judges saw it.[/quote]
-and yet huerta still BEAT him! even with the whole (he hasnt fought anyone excuse) but guida shoulda won the fight with griffin…
That is savage, not one bad comment towards him
Clay is a proper legend
Hope he gets that title sooner rather than later
[quote comment=”371310″][quote post=”5354″]I also disagree that he was ahead two round to none. [/quote]
I think Guida was up 2 rounds to zero. I think Huerta believed so as well. That’s actually the first time I have heard someone say that that fight was even going into the third. I thought Guida clearly won rounds one and two.
[quote comment=”371330″]I’ve watched and watched and watched the Guida/Huerta fight.
Round One is likely Guida. Worst case scenario is that the judges would be split on Round One.
Round Two is DEFINITELY Guida. No doubt about it.
In Round Three, I think Guida looked gassed, although he doesn’t put it that way. Regardless, the head kick Huerta landed did the trick, and allowed Huerta time to take Guida’s back.
Don’t get me wrong, i think Huerta deserves credit for weathering the storm and timing a great head kick. But Guida deserves mad props for putting on an amazing display of wrestling skills. He was taking Huerta down at will.[/quote]
VM, I’m sorry but I think you were paying attention to Rogan to much in that fight. Rogan obviously has a man-crush on Guida and not without reason, he puts on exciting fights. But for instance there was one point Guida ate four big shots and connected one in the exchange and Joe screams, “Guida with a big right.” I am impartial and don’t mind him, but that fight was the first time I understood the Rogan haters and why.
As far as the first round going to Guida and the talk of his takedowns for dominance throughout the fight, he had three takedowns with one being the big slam. On the first, Huerta had the arm in reaching for a guillotine, allowing it. He knew he didn’t have it, let it go and was up within about 20 secs. On the third takedown, he allowed it again, this time isolating an arm and going for a kimura. Now, I don’t ever remember seeing a fight ended by a takedown, but finished by submissions, yes. Not talking slams, just basic takedowns. In that first round, Huerta was constantly going for submissions. Not counting the weak choke attempt, he went for an arm bar, knee bar, transitioned to a heel hook, kimura, and another arm bar. That made Guida look like a “lay and pray”er which we all know he’s not.
Huerta won the fight so why worry about it. Sorry, but I am going on a tangent because I hate the way rounds are scored and that is why we end up seeing so many lay’n'pray to a win by position-types of fighters looking to wait out their decision.
[quote comment=”371336″]If my memory serves me, didnt Huerta have 2 opponents pull out due to injuries? I cant remember which ones pulled out.
You can also say the same thing about Guida that Huerta is his toughest opponent to date. Maybe Tyson?? But I would expect Huerta to walk through, sans Tyson, every opponent that Guida has fought.[/quote]
Tyson Griffin would beat Huerta I think at the moment. I’m saying that as a huge Huerta fan, along with Clay, he’s my fave LW.
war clay!!!