As with every UFC event, there’s a handful of fighters fans could pick from as having the most to lose. The UFC on FX 4 card is no different in that a number of fighters are taking big risks.Gray Maynard is attempting to look for another title shot, Du…
As with every UFC event, there’s a handful of fighters fans could pick from as having the most to lose. The UFC on FX 4 card is no different in that a number of fighters are taking big risks.
Gray Maynard is attempting to look for another title shot, Dustin Pague is stepping in on short notice and Hatsu Hioki is relegated to a preliminary card.
Normally when I’ve wrote these sort of pieces before, I usually pick one fighter from the card who stands to lose the most. However, this time, I’m going to cheat a little.
But there’s no need to complain as you, the reader, get a little extra for your time as I’ve chosen two fighters who equally stand to lose the most on the UFC on FX 4 event. Of all the fighters competing on the card, these two men, by far, stand to lose the most should they see their opponent’s hand raised.
Whether you just have a short downtime during work or don’t want a lengthy breakdown, these “Quick Breaks” are for you. “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed-up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables, thi…
Whether you just have a short downtime during work or don’t want a lengthy breakdown, these “Quick Breaks” are for you. “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed-up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables, this will analyze what could happen in the fight and end with this writer’s prediction.
The UFC will be once again be broadcasting on FX this Friday and will be bringing a great headliner matchup between lightweights Gray Maynard and Clay Guida. The UFC returns to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where the event will take place at the Revel Casino.
Facebook prelims start at 5:00 p.m. EST, followed by Fuel TV prelims at 6:00 p.m. EST, leading to the main card on FX at 9:00 p.m. EST.
In the blue corner, you have Clay Guida, who is 29-12 in his career. “The Carpenter” will be coming in off a loss to current lightweight champion, Benson Henderson, and is looking to reclaim his momentum toward a title shot.
The title shot is something that has eluded Guida over the years, but every fight he has been in has been a show. Guida comes to fight and it is a safe bet to expect high energy levels and some bloodshed.
In the red corner, you have Gray Maynard, who is 10-1-1(1). “The Bully” has had great success in the UFC, acquiring 10 wins in a row before facing Frankie Edgar for the title. After their fight went to a draw, and the rematch won by Edgar, Maynard is ready to get back on track.
While he has only fought one man over the last two years, he will now have his chance to prove himself against another quick and energetic striker.
Styles make fights, as they say, and both bring something unique into this fight. Guida has stamina and a relentless pace that is challenging for any opponent. Maynard, while showing some striking, has a forte for wrestling. Guida has a wrestling background as well, but not to the same caliber of Maynard, and has not really focused on using that part of his game in his fights.
Guida will look to use his speed and movement to catch Maynard, but if Maynard can get a hold of him, he may be able to lay-and-pray to a decision. Guida is one to put up a fight and get off the ground quickly, but time will tell if the two opposing grappling strengths will cancel or overpower the other.
As long as Maynard’s stamina holds up and he doesn’t lose focus, he can control this fight. However, it may only be the striking and pace set by Guida that will provide a finish.
Prediction: Clay Guida wins via TKO in the second round.
This Friday, Clay Guida will face off against Gray Maynard in the main event of UFC on FX 4.Both fighters enter the cage coming off losses to the top two fighters in the division—Guida to Benson Henderson and Maynard to Frankie Edgar.Guida and Ma…
This Friday, Clay Guida will face off against Gray Maynard in the main event of UFC on FX 4.
Both fighters enter the cage coming off losses to the top two fighters in the division—Guida to Benson Henderson and Maynard to Frankie Edgar.
Guida and Maynard are almost universally considered to be top five lightweights, and their fight could be for a No. 1 contender position, or could put them in position to fight for a No. 1 contender spot.
Fans are torn on who will win this fight, so let’s take a look at a breakdown of the lightweight matchup.
Previous experiments have involved a flat iron and a tub of Crisco.
We enjoy a great hairdo as much as the next guy, but it’s not often that one plays a role in the outcome of a fight. Back in the day, Jason Fairn and Guy Mezger famously made a gentlemen’s agreement not to tug on each other’s locks during their fight, and more recently Louis Gaudinot has considered chopping off his tresses after his hair hampered his performance against John Lineker. Those men took a look in the mirror and decided the fate of their own follicles, an option that has sadly been taken out of the hands of Clay Guida.
“The Carpenter’s” signature coiffure was recently placed on the proverbial chopping block after Gray Maynard‘s camp filed a formal complaint with the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. Sanctioning bodies are responsible for determining “whether head or facial hair presents any hazard to the safety of the unarmed combatant or his opponent or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition.” Though Guida has the right to contest Camp Maynard’s objection to his hair, he has opted to braid his Medusa-like top for their bout rather than bog himself down with legal wranglings.
Hear from all parties involved after the jump.
Previous experiments have involved a flat iron and a tub of Crisco.
We enjoy a great hairdo as much as the next guy, but it’s not often that one plays a role in the outcome of a fight. Back in the day, Jason Fairn and Guy Mezger famously made a gentlemen’s agreement not to tug on each other’s locks during their fight, and more recently Louis Gaudinot has considered chopping off his tresses after his hair hampered his performance against John Lineker. Those men took a look in the mirror and decided the fate of their own follicles, an option that has sadly been taken out of the hands of Clay Guida.
“The Carpenter’s” signature coiffure was recently placed on the proverbial chopping block after Gray Maynard‘s camp filed a formal complaint with the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. Sanctioning bodies are responsible for determining “whether head or facial hair presents any hazard to the safety of the unarmed combatant or his opponent or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition.” Though Guida has the right to contest Camp Maynard’s objection to his hair, he has opted to braid his Medusa-like top for their bout rather than bog himself down with legal wranglings.
MMAJunkie.com spoke with the NJSACB’s Nick Lembo on Guida’s options in the matter:
“He doesn’t want to do it, and I don’t believe he’s 100 percent happy about it, but he’s being very understanding and very cooperative about it and he agreed to it. Otherwise, if he said, ‘No, I’m not going to do that,’ we’d have to have a hearing on it and let both sides present their case and have a commissioner’s ruling on the issue.”
John Fosco, Guida’s manager, also spoke with the Junkie about the Carpenter’s mindset headed into the fight:
“Clay chose to avoid any distractions and simply complied. Clay will be braiding his hair back. Clay is not focused on this and has one objective: winning. Nothing will distract him from his goal.”
Maynard wants it made clear that he couldn’t care less about Guida’s hair when they climb in the cage next Friday. Speaking with Duane Finley, the fighter stated that he personally had nothing to do with the complaint and isn’t concerned with the matter.
I for one think that Athletic Commissions have more important things to worry about than legislating hair styles and grooming habits, but if they do go down this road, might I suggest a good place to start?
UFC lightweight Clay Guida is known for many things. His entertaining personality, his non-stop motor…his long, glorious, flowing locks of hair. Unfortunately, following a complaint from his UFC on FX 4 opponent Gray Maynard, the hair will be go…
UFC lightweight Clay Guida is known for many things. His entertaining personality, his non-stop motor…his long, glorious, flowing locks of hair.
Unfortunately, following a complaint from his UFC on FX 4 opponent Gray Maynard, the hair will be going through a disappointing transformation prior to the bout.
Before anyone freaks out, the answer is “No”—he’s not pulling a Urijah Faber and chopping it off. The caveman-like hair that fans have grown to love will instead be under containment with braids for the fight.
The decision to control the hair came after Maynard filed a complaint to the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board in May. Rather than try to fight the action in a legal hearing, Guida will simply opt to comply with Maynard’s request and focus on the fight itself.
“Clay chose to avoid any distractions and simply complied. Clay will be braiding his hair back. Clay is not focused on this and has one objective: winning. Nothing will distract him from his goal.”
Under the Unified Rules of MMA, individual state athletic commissions are allowed to make a ruling on “whether head or facial hair presents any hazard to the safety of the unarmed combatant or his opponent or will interfere with the supervision and conduct of the contest or exhibition.”
We often see this rule come into play with female fighters whose hair is typically as long as or longer than Guida’s.
Nick Lembo, counsel for the NJSACB, told MMAjunkie.com:
“He doesn’t want to do it, and I don’t believe he’s 100 percent happy about it, but he’s being very understanding and very cooperative about it and he agreed to it. Otherwise, if he said, ‘No, I’m not going to do that,’ we’d have to have a hearing on it and let both sides present their case and have a commissioner’s ruling on the issue.”
Lembo explained that Maynard’s complaint was that Guida’s hair “could pose a distraction to their fighter…and that they thought it gave an unfair advantage to their opponent.”
As disappointed as some fans may be by the decision to make the physical appearance alteration, there is little doubt that the bout itself between Guida and Maynard will be a great one.
After suffering his first career loss to Frankie Edgar, UFC lightweight bruiser, Gray Maynard, returns to the Octagon on June 22nd after eight months to headline the UFC on FX 4 alongside Clay Guida. It’s a great headliner between two of the division’s…
After suffering his first career loss to Frankie Edgar, UFC lightweight bruiser, Gray Maynard, returns to the Octagon on June 22nd after eight months to headline the UFC on FX 4 alongside Clay Guida.
It’s a great headliner between two of the division’s most talented, exciting competitors.
But Gray Maynard is going to destroy Clay Guida. Here’s why.
The striking isn’t even close. Maynard has developed into a very good boxer, while Guida is pretty much the same elementary striker he was six years ago. Watch a Maynard fight from six years ago and the difference is night and day. Watch a Guida fight from the same time, and the only way you can tell the difference is video quality and the length of his hair.
Both guys come from a wrestling background. But Guida is a former high school wrestler with some junior college experience, while Maynard is a three time NCAA Division I All-American. Now, credentials alone don’t mean everything, but that’s a vast disparity in level of competition.
Still though, Guida has developed the sort of potent wrestling attack that works so well in MMA. He’s unrelenting. If he cannot get the takedown, he goes for it again, and again, and again. He’ll hang onto a leg until he does get it. When he can’t, he’s in trouble. Against Gray, he won’t get it.
Frankie Edgar was able to take Maynard down because his striking kept Maynard guessing. Guida will not enjoy that option.
This is a five rounder, but don’t expect fatigue to play a vital role. We’ve seen Maynard go five hard rounds. And Guida’s gas tank is the stuff of legends.
Guida will make a war out of it; he has a knack for that sort of thing. His chin is rock solid, so he’ll be able to absorb the beating he’s certain to receive. But he’ll simply be outclassed in just about every area of the fight. He does hold the jiu jitsu advantage, but that won’t mean much unless he can put Maynard on his back and keep him there.
Maynard will use crisp boxing to bust Guida up, and with his size, strength, and wrestling advantages he’ll be the one dictating where the fight takes place. That will take Guida completely out of his game, just as it did when he faced Ben Henderson.
Guida is a great fighter, definitely top-ten caliber, but he’s just not at that championship level. Maynard is, and that’s the difference.
This is probably Guida’s last run at a title shot, and it will not end happily for him.
Whether you just have a short downtime during work or don’t want a lengthy breakdown, these “Quick Breaks” are for you. “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed-up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables, this will analyze what could happen in the fight and end with this writer’s prediction. 