Now in their 30s, Clay Guida and Tatsuya Kawajiri don't have time for many more setbacks. So, their meeting at UFC Fight Night 39 will be pivotal for their chances to win UFC gold.
Guida most recently ran into No. 1 featherweight contender Chad Mendes. The matchup resulted in Guida's first ever knockout loss. While the bout showed "The Carpenter" has some improvements to make before he can be considered a serious featherweight title threat, only 145-pound champ Jose Aldo has found a way to beat Mendes.
Kawajiri, meanwhile, recently made his highly anticipated UFC debut against Sean Soriano. While Kawajiri was able to stop Soriano with a rear-naked choke in the second round, he'll be taking a significant step up in competition for Friday's meeting with Guida.
Which fighter will take an important step toward a shot at the featherweight championship? Here is a closer look at how Guida and Kawajiri match up against one another in all areas.
