Gomi-Guida Lined up for UFC New Year's Day Card

Clay Guida file photo: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

As rumored, popular UFC lightweight Clay Guida will return to action against former Pride star Takanori Gomi at UFC 125 on Jan. 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Guida confirmed the bout Sunday night during an interview with Chicago’s ESPN 1000.

Guida -- who begins his fourth year under the UFC’s employ on Oct. 14 -- will look to extend a two-fight win streak. After dropping back-to-back bouts to Diego Sanchez and Kenny Florian, Guida submitted Shannon Gugerty in March. “The Carpenter” most recently notched a third-round TKO of Rafael dos Anjos in an August bout which saw Guida fracture the Brazilian’s jaw in two places.

While Guida’s position within the Zuffa ranks seems secure, Gomi is still searching for his place within the UFC’s deep 155-pound division. After being dominated and submitted by Kenny Florian in his March UFC debut, “The Fireball Kid” came roaring back, showcasing his fabled knockout power with a first-round clobbering of Tyson Griffin.

Though the UFC has yet officially announce the New Year’s Day event, multiple sources report that the card will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard.