Clay Guida enters UFC Vegas 18 this weekend with a new contract in hand.
“We got another four-fight deal. Thank you so much to Uncle Dana White and the UFC and all the fans out there, that still want us around, or don’t want us around,” Guida told Cageside Press at a virtual media day ahead of the event. “Because we inked a deal, and we’re not going anywhere for a while. I’m happy to give you guys at least four more good fights.”
At 39 years of age, Guida (35-20) is now one of the elder statesmen of the lightweight division, alongside the likes of Jim Miller and the seemingly ageless Francisco Trinaldo. For his part, Guida credits his longevity to his wrestling background.
“We’re mentally tough. We’re built differently, we’re geared differently, we’re wired differently. From being in a wrestling room at a young age of probably six years old when I started wrestling and competing every weekend— you lead a different lifestyle of just always having to be on and ready to go no matter what,” Guida explained. “No matter the weather, no matter what season, you’re always ready to go.”
Playing three sports as a kid, Guida “didn’t really know any better.” That constant readiness was just a part of life. Now, at 39-years old, and approaching two decades in MMA, “I recover a lot better now so I can keep up with these young bucks.” The 20-year old up-and-comers, and 30-year olds who have fought the “who’s who” at the top echelon of their weight classes. “We’ve got a stable of them [at Team Alpha Male]. I feel great, I feel very competitive. I can hang in there with them, and those guys are the ones that keep me young. They keep me grounded as always. And in order to be able to work out with them day in and day out, I’ve got to be on top of my game.”
Clay Guida throws down with Michael Johnson this Saturday, February 6 at UFC Vegas 18. The event airs live on ESPN+ (TSN in Canada).
