CLAY GUIDA

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

LEG SWEEP DOUBLE LEG TAKEDOWN

Level 2 - Both Standing, Striking Range

“The Carpenter” is at his best when he’s pouring on the ground-and-pound, so use his excellent double leg takedown to bring the action to the mat as soon as possible.

SUPLEX TO SIDE CONTROL, TOP

Level 2 - Double Underhook, Offense

Guida’s takedown is great, but if the opponent is countering his standing shots effectively, try using powerful technique throws and slams from the clinch instead.

DOUBLE CHOP

Level 3 - Open Guard, Top

Guida enjoys doing damage from Open Guard, smashing his opponent with these unique technique strikes. In other ground sub positions, he favors bringing down heavy elbows instead.

STRENGTHS

• Constant Movement

• Solid Chin

• Conditioning

Clay “The Carpenter” Guida’s endless cardio and relentless pace have earned him plenty of fans during his long run inside the Octagon.

Though fast and durable in the striking game, he’s at his best when he shoots in with his excellent double leg takedown to quickly bring his opponent to the mat.

Guida can also take a good punch on the feet, so trust in his resilient chin and stay in the opponent’s face, looking to pressure him into giving up the takedown. Be aggressive with speed, and work to bring the fight to the ground as quickly as possible.

“The Carpenter” isn’t great at transitioning on top, but he doesn’t have to be—even from Open Guard, he can deliver some very nasty ground-and-pound in the form of heavy technique strikes that come crashing down with surprising force.

Hammer away from the top to rock rivals on your way to a TKO victory, or go for a submission if you manage to pass to a dominant position—Guida can apply some good armbars from the top and chokes from the back.

WEAKNESSES

• Strength

• Footwork

• Ground top grappling
  

Though he’s known for his constant movement on the feet, Guida’s movements are somewhat erratic, and he actually suffers from unimpressive footwork compared to elite strikers in his division.

This allows swift and elusive stand-up specialists to pick him apart with superior movement and timing on the feet, as long as they strike with caution and remain ready to counter against his powerful takedowns.

Unless you’re supremely confident in your fighter’s grappling ability, avoid the ground game against Guida and simply try to maintain a respectable striking distance.

Work him over in the stand-up game with quick combos, throwing strong strikes very rarely to avoid the chances of suffering a short takedown.

If he gets you to the ground, exploit his poor top grappling game to either hold him in a ground clinch and force a referee break, or to simply try to kick him away as you transition back up to your feet.