Guida: Pettis Doesn’t Have Training Partners, Coaches That I Do

Clay Guida can move closer to title contention with a win over Anthony Pettis. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

“He hasn’t fought the competition that I have,” Guida said recently during a “Savage Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “He hasn’t fought the talent that I have, but he’s been fighting a tough group of guys these past few. I give him a lot of credit for that. He doesn’t train with the guys that I train with. He doesn’t have the coaching staff that I have. We’ve got a lot of tools on our side, and he’s got a lot of momentum and confidence on his side. It’s going to make for just an all-around awesome fight for the fans and it’s going to be great for our career.”

Guida credits Pettis for his recent performances but also for his willingness to take another fight after earning a UFC lightweight title shot with his win over Benson Henderson at WEC 53. Pettis’ crack at the gold was delayed due to the rematch draw between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. He chose to fight another contender rather than wait.

“I think it’s a great decision,” Guida said. “The more fights before my title fight, the better. Just gets me that much more prepared. I think it’s great for him and says a lot about his character and his ambition to train and get better in the sport. He’s not sitting around waiting for what could be maybe a year before Frankie and Gray fight. Who knows with their injuries? It just shows he’s confident in his skills and he wants to get back in there and show what he’s made of.”

Of course, by beating a top contender like Pettis, Guida could also move into title contention. He’s not received any guarantees from the UFC, but he thinks an impressive performance will help his cause.

“If I go out there and dominate and don’t leave it to the judges, like I’ve done in the past, then it’s going to look a lot better in the eyes of Joe Silva and Dana White,” Guida said. “I can’t leave this to anyone. I’ve got to go out there and finish the fight like I’ve been doing these last few.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:41:20).