UFC lightweight Clay Guida will drop down a weight class and fight in the 145-pound division.
The 30-year-old announced the decision via his management team, VFD Sports, on Friday morning.
“The Carpenter is going to explore a new job site at the 145 po…
UFC lightweight Clay Guida will drop down a weight class and fight in the 145-pound division.
The 30-year-old announced the decision via his management team, VFD Sports, on Friday morning.
“The Carpenter is going to explore a new job site at the 145 pound division in the new year,” Guida said in a statement on VFD Sports’ official website. “I plan on making a run at the foreman or superintendent position right out of the gates. I hope you guys packed a lunch.”
Before challenging the head superintendent, which is most likely champion Jose Aldo, Guida will need to work his way up. Who his first opponent at featherweight will be is unknown at this stage.
Guida added that he does not anticipate any difficulty with the new weight cut.
“It will be nice to finally be one of the bigger guys in the cage,” Guida said in the statement. “I don’t cut weight at 155, and making 145 will be no problem for me.”
Guida (29-13) lost his last two bouts at lightweight. However, one of those losses came to current champ Benson Henderson, and the other came to perennial contender Gray Maynard.
Our friends at With Leather just put together an incredible/awful collection of cheesy WWF promo photos from the late ’80s and early ’90s, and as we were browsing through some of these gems while drinking our coffee this morning, we couldn’t escape the eerie feeling that we’ve seen these faces elsewhere. The same snarling mugs, the same wacky personas — it’s obvious that some of our favorite MMA fighters owe a debt to these guys. So follow us back to pro wrestling‘s golden age, and allow us to make some startling comparisons.
Our friends at With Leather just put together an incredible/awful collection of cheesy WWF promo photos from the late ’80s and early ’90s, and as we were browsing through some of these gems while drinking our coffee this morning, we couldn’t escape the eerie feeling that we’ve seen these faces elsewhere. The same snarling mugs, the same wacky personas — it’s obvious that some of our favorite MMA fighters owe a debt to these guys. So follow us back to pro wrestling‘s golden age, and allow us to make some startling comparisons.
Current UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz, continues to mend from the reconstructive surgery he had in July for a torn ACL.Filling the void as interim bantamweight champion is Renan Barao with his victory over Urijah Faber at UFC 149. A clash of…
Current UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz, continues to mend from the reconstructive surgery he had in July for a torn ACL.
Filling the void as interim bantamweight champion is Renan Barao with his victory over Urijah Faber at UFC 149.
A clash of bantamweight-title holders will occur at some point in the future to declare the true king of the ultra-competitive 135-pound bantamweight division.
It is months away before a matchup between Cruz and Barao should even be discussed. In the meantime, however, why not kick a man when he’s down. Is that not the American way? Admittedly so, this article is definitely ill-timed considering Cruz’s injury. Undeniably so, this article will create a heated debate.
In the end, however, debate forces one to think. And exploring one’s position and viewpoint is the backbone of this great nation.
It is obvious from the title and introduction that this writer is not a fan of Dominick Cruz.
I do not hide the fact that I feel he is a subpar fighter who lacks the ability to be a dominant champion within the famed Octagon. However, I am also not arrogant or stubborn enough to believe that Dominick Cruz is unworthy of his fighting credentials.
Currently, Cruz possesses a very impressive 19-1 mixed martial arts record as well as a seventh-place ranking in Sherdog’s list of the top-10 best pound-for-pound fighters.
Defeating the likes of Urijah Faber twice, Demetrious Johnson, Ian McCall and a who’s who of top competitors, Cruz has defended his title successfully to date.
So what is my issue with “The Dominator?”
At UFC on Fox 4, Clay Guida put on a lackluster performance in a split-decision loss to Gray Maynard. Rather than engaging in what was forecasted as a slobber-knocker, Guida danced around the Octagon and avoided the heavy right hand of “The Bully.”
Criticized by Dana White, the UFC President commented on Guida’s game plan by saying, “Some goof put in his head that running around in circles might win him the fight, and they were dead wrong.”
Wait one second, was not the strategy employed by Guida against Maynard the same tactical maneuvering that Cruz utilizes against all his opponents? Why was Guida’s performance any different than the vast majority of Cruz’s fights?
Both possess excellent cardiovascular conditioning and utilize their footwork and head movement to execute their strikes while limiting the damage received.
Guida and Cruz move in and out of range with constant motion for the duration of their battles.
Yet, experts bashed Clay Guida for his Dancing With the Stars rendition and praise “The Dominator” for possessing excellent footwork and better boxing skills, as he quickly and effectively changes angles and planes to minimize damage. Since he utilizes the same fight strategy, why is Guida the bad guy and Cruz viewed as a top pound-for-pound title holder?
And, what damage does Dominick Cruz inflict?
Of Cruz’s 19 victories, the champ possesses six KO/TKO victories. With that said, however, “The Dominator” has not finished an opponent inside the UFC due to strikes.
Outside of a doctor’s stoppage for a cut to Brian Bowles at WEC 47, this featherweight champion has not convincingly defeated a WEC competitor either. Of Dominick Cruz’s last nine fights, all have come by decision except for the aforementioned stoppage of Bowles by cut at WEC 47, and he has not finished an opponent during regulation since his KO victory of Kenneth Aimes at Total Combat 27 in March of 2008.
Georges St-Pierre was once ridiculed for his inability fight without the bout going to a decision.
Yet GSP has earned eight KO/TKO victories, including knockout victories over welterweight and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes and the always tough and durable Sean Sherk. Cruz’s KO stoppage came against a fighter whom could be sitting right next to me and I would not know who he was.
Not a single dominant victory by strikes at the sport’s highest levels, yet people are still willing to call the self-proclaimed “The Dominator” a pound-for-pound contender and a fighting champion?
Let me provide a biased, “I am not at all impressed by Dominick Cruz” standpoint.
Cruz is a tremendously gifted cardiovascular machine that has developed mediocre mixed martial arts talent and has essentially duped experts, fans and the UFC brass into believing that his style of mixed martial arts is actually fighting.
The reality, however, is that Cruz does not possess lethal strikes. Outside of his excellent footwork (and I’ll give him that much), he is not a superior boxer. He does not fire counters with the force and power of Renan Barao. He is not as creative as Urijah Faber. And this champion is definitely not as dominant as he believes he is and the media portrays him to be.
Is Dominick Cruz a pound-for-pound contender? Absolutely not. Is Dominick Cruz a superior mixed martial artist? Absolutely not.
And now to bring this story full-circle, is Dominick Cruz a fighting champion? Absolutely not.
Does Dominick Cruz possess a superior cardiorespiratory system that has allowed him to invent a fighting style in which he is praised yet others are chastised? Resoundingly, YES!
One day Dominick Cruz will be forced to actually fight in his matchups and the truth of his legend will be revealed. That day will soon come when he takes on the ultra-elusive, yet tremendously powerful striker Renan Barao.
Of all the seasons of The Ultimate Fighterto have produced upper-echelon fighters and title challengers at 155 lbs., who would’ve guessed that the season that coined the phrase “Wang and Bang” would one day rule them all? Not only is Nate Diaz next in line for a shot at Ben Henderson, but former title challenger Gray Maynard has just been booked to take on perennial contender Joe Lauzon in a battle that will easily launch the victor onto the short list of contenders at lightweight.
After spending the entirety of 2011 feuding with former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, which ended in his first career defeat, Maynard recently bounced back into the win column with a controversial split decision win over Clay Guida in the main event of UFC on FX 4. Although Maynard was thoroughly out-hustled for the majority of the fight, the significance of his offense in the latter rounds combined with Guida’s lack thereof was enough to earn him the nod.
Maynard will be facing the always entertaining Lauzon, who is currently 3-2 in his past five and most recently scored a third round triangle submission victory against former WEC champion Jamie Varner in their classic scrap at UFC on FOX 4. Lauzon has struggled in the past when facing top contenders, having dropped fights to Kenny Florian and Anthony Pettis in the past, but has also finished his opponents in all 22 of his victories. And although his cardio looked the best against Varner that it arguably ever has, there is no doubt that Maynard’s experience in the championship rounds will pay huge dividends if Lauzon isn’t able to put him away earlier.
After the jump: An update on Matt Hamill’s return to the octagon. Spoiler: His opponent just got a lot tougher.
Of all the seasons of The Ultimate Fighterto have produced upper-echelon fighters and title challengers at 155 lbs., who would’ve guessed that the season that coined the phrase “Wang and Bang” would one day rule them all? Not only is Nate Diaz next in line for a shot at Ben Henderson, but former title challenger Gray Maynard has just been booked to take on perennial contender Joe Lauzon in a battle that will easily launch the victor onto the short list of contenders at lightweight.
After spending the entirety of 2011 feuding with former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, which ended in his first career defeat, Maynard recently bounced back into the win column with a controversial split decision win over Clay Guida in the main event of UFC on FX 4. Although Maynard was thoroughly out-hustled for the majority of the fight, the significance of his offense in the latter rounds combined with Guida’s lack thereof was enough to earn him the nod.
Maynard will be facing the always entertaining Lauzon, who is currently 3-2 in his past five and most recently scored a third round triangle submission victory against former WEC champion Jamie Varner in their classic scrap at UFC on FOX 4. Lauzon has struggled in the past when facing top contenders, having dropped fights to Kenny Florian and Anthony Pettis in the past, but has also finished his opponents in all 22 of his victories. And although his cardio looked the best against Varner that it arguably ever has, there is no doubt that Maynard’s experience in the championship rounds will pay huge dividends if Lauzon isn’t able to put him away earlier.
Speaking of Varner, Matt Hamill recently pulled a similar maneuver as the former WEC champ by un-retiring and agreeing to face Bellator veteran Roger Hollett at UFC 152. However, word broke earlier today that Hollett had suffered an undisclosed injury forcing him out of the contest, and stepping in for Hollett would be none other than former IFL champion Vladimir Matyushenko.
The two share a lot of similarities beyond their extensive wrestling background, the first of which being that neither Hamill or “The Janitor” have fought since running into the one way pain train that is Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133 and 141, respectively. Hamill’s beatdown was so bad that it led him to retire in the first place, whereas Matyushenko simply suffered from a bad case of attempting to block Gustafsson’s punches with his face.
Luckily, I’ve managed to find some decent quality highlights from both men’s fights with Gustafsson below, and added them below. Enjoy, and let us know who you think takes this one.
Hamill vs. Gustafsson
Matyushenko vs. Gustafsson (highlights start at the 1:10 mark)
In the ever-competitive world of professional mixed martial arts, the men and women are fighting for more than just the fans and their next paycheck; they’re fighting for survival. When you barely have enough money left for yourself after paying your training partners, coaches, and buying nutritional supplements, it’s time to find another source of income. Most do this in the way of sponsorships — you know, like the Nike deal Jon Jones recently signed, or Anderson Silva’s relationship with Burger King. And if more of these well-known mainstream companies would sponsor a few fighters, the smaller companies that currently sponsor fighters could move to guys and gals who are still making their way up the ranks without anyone losing out. Let’s look at the companies that best suit MMA, how they should be involved, and why it makes sense.
Why it makes sense: Standing 6′ 4″ and weighing 230 pounds, and 6′ 5″/263, respectively, the Frenchman and the Dutchman are the most physically imposing fighters in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Old Spice is known for their funny commercials targeting the same audience watching PPV’s on a Saturday night. In the past, Old Spice has used NFL players Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis as spokesman for their ‘Swagger’ line of men’s body products, as well as jacked Expendables cast-member Terry Crews. And if those guys can do it, why not Kongo and Overeem? In particular, “The Demolition Man” is the type of guy you want your customers to think they’ll be more like by using your product. Alistair could even make his commercial debut by eating the horse the original Old Spice Guy rode in on.
(“Nothing comes between me and my Baconator. Nothing.”)
In the ever-competitive world of professional mixed martial arts, the men and women are fighting for more than just the fans and their next paycheck; they’re fighting for survival. When you barely have enough money left for yourself after paying your training partners, coaches, and buying nutritional supplements, it’s time to find another source of income. Most do this in the way of sponsorships — you know, like the Nike deal Jon Jones recently signed, or Anderson Silva’s relationship with Burger King. And if more of these well-known mainstream companies would sponsor a few fighters, the smaller companies that currently sponsor fighters could move to guys and gals who are still making their way up the ranks without anyone losing out. Let’s look at the companies that best suit MMA, how they should be involved, and why it makes sense.
Why it makes sense: Standing 6′ 4″ and weighing 230 pounds, and 6′ 5″/263, respectively, the Frenchman and the Dutchman are the most physically imposing fighters in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Old Spice is known for their funny commercials targeting the same audience watching PPV’s on a Saturday night. In the past, Old Spice has used NFL players Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis as spokesman for their ‘Swagger’ line of men’s body products, as well as jacked Expendables cast-member Terry Crews. And if those guys can do it, why not Kongo and Overeem? In particular, “The Demolition Man” is the type of guy you want your customers to think they’ll be more like by using your product. Alistair could even make his commercial debut by eating the horse the original Old Spice Guy rode in on.
Why it makes sense: The 2013 Chevy Spark may be small, but what it lacks in stature, it more than makes up for in heart. The potential to save drivers a small fortune on gas is enough to get most excited, and the 18-34 male demographic includes cash-strapped college guys and new dads — definitely a bunch a dudes looking to save a few extra bucks any chance they can get. Who better to market your product than your Ultimate Fighting counterparts, the UFC’s two smallest and most fuel-efficient contenders?
Both the fighters and the mini-cars are well equipped, fast, and flashy. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the unbelievably high MPG, which means you won’t ever have to worry about running out of gas when you enter the championship rounds. Isn’t it obvious that this is a match made in mini-heaven?
Why it makes sense: From Lunesta’s website: “When you want to sleep, do you lie awake? When you get to sleep, do you wake up often during the night? Sleep is here on the wings of LUNESTA. Some sleep aids are approved to help you fall asleep and others to help you stay asleep. Prescription LUNESTA is approved to do both.”
4 out of 5 doctors recommend you watch a fight featuring Jon Fitch, Jake Shields, or Ben Askren, if you do not wish to use or cannot afford prescription medication. It’s a known fact; these boring wrestlers will put you to sleep before they even break a sweat. While most fans spew vitriol every time these fighters are mentioned, a large percentage of the audience is insomniacs and singing their praises. MMA managers these days tell their guys in the gym to make themselves into a brand. It just so happens that the brands these guys have created have the same tags as Lunesta: sleep, helps me sleep, cures insomnia, best sleep I’ve ever had.
Company: Tampax Ideal fighter to sponsor:Ronda Rousey
Why it makes sense: Hear me out. Back in 2009, Tampax signed Serena Williams of tennis fame to an endorsement deal during their “Outsmart Mother Nature” campaign. The commercial was clever and effective. After watching it, you believed that one of the best female tennis players to ever step onto a court could go on with life as usual, despite her monthly visitor, with no major adjustments to her schedule. Skip ahead to present day where Strikeforce Women’s champion Ronda Rousey graces the cover of ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue, appears on Conan O’Brian, and has a two-part all-access pass look at her life filmed by Showtime. Sounds like Tampax has a fresh face with enough exposure to take home a larger share of the feminine hygiene products sales. Rousey is the perfect example of a woman that demands a lot out of her girlie products. Training for a championship bout consists of running, strength training, kickboxing, and most of all, jiu jitsu — and all of the rolling around that comes with it. Just like there’s no crying in baseball, there are no time outs for leaks. Not to worry, she has Tampax in her corner.
I envision some poor soul getting a text from his girl while he’s out getting snacks for fight night. She asks him to do the unthinkable — pick up some tampons and hurry back. So he makes his way to the pink aisle and scans a ton of pink boxes that may have been written in gibberish. He wants to make this as quick as possible so there’s no time to ask his damsel in distress what kind she wants. He’ll just have to figure this out on his own. *Boom!* “Yep, these are the ones Ronda Rousey uses, so they must be good.” he says to himself. Brand association is a powerful tool — one that makes a deal like this all but certain in the years to come.
On the next page:Listerine, UPS, and the return of Jimmy John’s…
Melvin Guillard’s UFC 150 fight with former friend and training partner Donald Cerrone only lasted 76 seconds. But their fight, which earned “Fight of the Night” honors, was one of the best fights of the year. That is the only upside of the f…
Melvin Guillard‘s UFC 150 fight with former friend and training partner Donald Cerrone only lasted 76 seconds.
But their fight, which earned “Fight of the Night” honors, was one of the best fights of the year.
That is the only upside of the fight for Guillard though, who lost by knockout after having Cerrone hurt early in the fight.
Guillard was looking to win back-to-back fights and prove he was ready to get back into lightweight title contention.
Instead, the former TUF competitor has lost three of his last four fights and is starting to look like he will never meet his full potential.
Guillard is a great fighter who is one of the best in the lightweight division.
But he has yet to get a good win over a top-five caliber fighter.
Guillard has faced household names like Jim Miller, Nate Diaz and Joe Lauzon, but has come up short against each man, losing by submission.
In fact, nine of Guillard‘s 11 losses have come by submission.
While it was amazing that last night’s loss was just Guillard‘s first KO loss in his 44-fight career, he has to be thinking what exactly he could have done differently.
Now Guillard is back to the drawing board in figuring out what to do next.
For once it wasn’t Guillard‘s submission defense that failed him.
Although he had Cerrone hurt and he went for the knockout, Guillard appeared to back off the pressure some.
That could have been so he wouldn’t gas himself out or that could have been because Cerrone was just that good at recovering.
Either way, Guillard is in a tough spot. While he should want to continue taking on big names, he also has to get wins.
Because Guillard is in a stacked division there are a ton of options for him as far as competition goes.
One fighter that really sticks out though is Clay Guida.
Like Guillard, Guida is a fighter who could make a great gatekeeper, but would rather think of himself as a more elite fighter.
Guida is coming off of two losses and has had some difficulty against top guys in the division.
While Guida has tried to go for the lay, pray and dash approach in his fights lately, taking on a former teammate in Guillard could bring out the excitement in Guida.
For Guillard, a win over Guida would hopefully get him back on the right track.
UFC lightweight Clay Guida will drop down a weight class and fight in the 145-pound division.
