Clay Guida: I will not stop until that title is mine (Interview)
Posted on June 11, 2012, 05:48 PM by Mike Searson
Clay Guida will be headlining the upcoming UFC on FX 4 card with top lightweight contender Gray Maynard in Atlantic City on June 22. Both fighters are coming in off of a loss. Guida's loss was at the hands of current champion, Benson Henderson; Maynard's to Frankie Edgar. The winner of this fight should go on to a title shot against the winner of the Henderson-Edgar rematch at UFC 150 this August.
Lowkick.com had a chance to speak with Guida about his upcoming fight in Atlantic City against Maynard.
For the better part of a decade, Guida has gone with the nickname of “The Carpenter”. Although he earned this moniker from his former trade as a carpenter while he was and up-and-coming fighter, it can seem appropriate for his training program with Jackson-Winkeljohn at this point in his career:
“Training for my fight against Maynard is going great. I've focused a lot more on fixing holes in my wrestling game with my wrestling coach Israel Martinez. We brought in a few D1 wrestlers to push me. I absolutely think that Gray Maynard is at the top of the division with Ben (Henderson) and Frankie (Edgar). As one of only 2 fighters to defeat Frankie, and having one of the best trilogies in MMA history, he is still at the top. I also believe that finishing Gray Maynard puts me right back in the mix as a top contender in the lightweight division after coming up short against Ben Henderson. I've never been much for predictions, but don't be surprised to see me get my next UFC victory by TKO over Gray Maynard.”
In light of Guida’s five “Fight of the night” bonuses, he thinks that number 6 could be coming up fast: “All I can say is it's going to be 5 rounds of fun and I've come a long way since Gilbert Melendez. Every time a competitor like Gray Maynard or me steps in the octagon, ‘Fight of the night’ is always a possibility.”
After more than 40 professional MMA bouts, Guida says his secret to his never-ending passion for the sport: “(It) comes purely from the love of competition and pushing myself to extreme measures to become the absolute best I can be. I haven’t accomplished anything in this sport yet. My quest for knowledge and desire to become the lightweight champion are stronger than ever before, and I won't stop until the Title is mine!”
In addition to his love of competition and quest for self-improvement, Guida has long been a fan-favorite in the UFC. The lightweight contender had nothing but thanks and praise for his trainers and his fan-base attributing their support to his success: "I would like to thank my coaching staff at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA including Brandon Gibson, Mike Valle, and my wrestling coach Israel Martinez for preparing me for battle, as well as all my training partners. Every fierce competitor knows that no one can be successful in this sport on their own. I also want to thank my management team at VFD Sports. As always, I would like to personally thank all my loyal fans who have been there through the wins and losses in my career. Without you, there is no reason to compete. Thanks for all your undying support as we get one step closer June 22nd. It's going to be an amazing fight!"
UFC on FX 4 takes place Friday, June 22 at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and will air on FX at 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST.
Feel free to follow Clay Guida on Twitter @ClayGuida.
Comments
we all know Clay aint the most skilled fighter out there... but one thing we all have to agree he is one tough SOB and never stops and for that simple reason I would like ti see him have a belt, i dont care if he loses on his first defense.. and I bet he would celebrate with a humongous burp :)
The only belt he has a real shot at is BEllator or UFC FEATHERWEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!GIL el nino, Ben henderson, Frankie, and gray all beat him but mike chandler is somewaht inexperienced and the only man champion clay really has a shot at or Jose ALdo he might be able outgrind him but probably not!!!!!
yeah . he is like a cave man with no education. Funny crazy guy haha I think Maynard will beat him thoug. Maynar is a sore loser ,so ,he probably trained harder than ever after his loss to Edgar
clearly you didnt understand the message...
Clay guida fights like a road rage maniac high on speed.
Crazy hair, crazy cardio, crazy wild punches.
That said he has some impressive wins against nate Diaz, Takanori Gomi, anthony pettis,mac danzig.
The dude has a good resume. no one has ever beaten him down with a KO....he has only lost to submissions or decisions. he is definetly in the mix.
I would enjoy if you got the belt...think you work hard for it.
Clay is an entertaining fighter but I would hate to see him still going for the title at age 50. There are just so many talented lightweights right now.
I guess he's never going to stop then.
Sorry Clay but the 55 is a little too deep for a one trick pony.
apparently there was a drive by weaking.lol So why don't you 5 cowards make a case as to why any 55er with good take down defense would be in trouble. Tell me about Clay "pillow hands" Guida knocks everyone out right after that. Seriously, I have a ton of respect for anyone thats at that level of fighting, esp. Clay cause he's had so many fights in the UFC in a really tough division and usually pulls off the W. But the division has so much depth and the fighters at the top of it are so well rounded that he's going to have to bring more to the table than his wrestling.
Please dont ever get the belt clay. Your wrestling mentality puts me to sleep. Id much rather watch you get put to sleep.
(bring on the weaks)
I understand why Guida's sights on UFC gold can be readily dismissed, deepest division ever, losses to elite fighters, one dimensional etc. Makes logical sense but he has improved and also has some good wins on his resume. Guida is one of a handful of LWs who could possibly wear UFC gold one day. Whoever gets the belt has truly earned it in that division and Guida is better than he gets credit for IMO, just there's so many great fighters he gets overlooked.
Cool guy, really good fighter, huge heart and loves to entertain the fans.
Would like to see him hold the belt some day but I doubt he will.
That being said I think people have forgot how good Clay did against Bendo, it was a close match. He also dominated Pettis.
Great fighter. Lightweight is really stacked right now though.
145... I think he would be able to do it...
someone call Mike Dolce
Yeah, I think Clay would do better at 145. He tends to get hit a lot by guys who can stop his take downs, which is a recipe for disaster with Maynard.
Mind you, if Clay can survive the early rounds, Grey tends to gas late, so maybe I wouldn't write Guida of completely.
I guess Clay will never stop then....