Latest news with #ClayGuida
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chase Hooper hopes UFC 314 win ends streak of veteran matchups
MIAMI – Chase Hooper has no problem beating up the elder statesmen of the UFC, but perhaps it's time to move on. In his most recent outing, Hooper (15-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) submitted Clay Guida and on Saturday will try to do the same to Jim Miller (38-18 MMA, 27-17 UFC) at UFC 314 from Kaseya Center (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Hooper says he has never set out to be the 'prospect killer,' despite what some may think. 'Going into this fight, a lot of people were like, 'Oh, you called out Jim Miller,'' Hooper told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday at UFC 314 media day. 'Somebody suggested it and I was like, 'Yeah, I wouldn't mind that fight.' That turned into a callout. I think that makes sense. It's a good step up, especially from the Clay fight. He's another veteran guy and he's got, what, 46 UFC fights? Almost 20 more UFC fights than I have years on this planet. 'I fought a lot of veterans now at this point. Caceres was my second fight, which is crazy to think about now. Yeah, I'm pretty happy with the matchup. I'm happy to fight another left-handed guy, like a true southpaw. I think that'll be fun. He's a guy that's willing to engage in the grappling and a guy that's not going to really have any respect for any of the areas I'll try to take the fight to. I think that opens up a lot of opportunity when a guy is thinking more about the offense than the defense.' Once viewed by many as almost a comically young fighter taking on grown men inside the UFC, Hooper has evolved after a bumpy promotional start. Seemingly turning a corner in early 2023, Hooper has now won three straight fights. While fighting the most experienced aging fighters on the roster is fun and all, he hopes a win over Miller on Saturday aligns him more with a fighter on a similar trajectory to his own. 'It's one of those things that kind of sucks about the sport,' Hooper said. 'You can't have too much reverence for people in their careers, especially if you're in the same weight class. You just don't know who you are going to fight and when. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Jim and a lot of respect for Clay and all these veterans that I've fought. But, at the end of the day, it's them or me. I hopefully will get another prospect on the up-and-come after this, another guy on a winning streak. But for now, we'll take what we can get and I'm happy with the matchup.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 314.
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Clay Guida confirms UFC exit (but not retirement) after 19 years with promotion
After nearly two decades, 'The Carpenter' has split from the UFC. Clay Guida's name was recently removed from the promotion's online roster (per @UFCRosterTracker) and Saturday he confirmed the parting of ways to be true in a lengthy, heartfelt Instagram post. Guida (38-25 MMA, 18-19 UFC) was the longest-tenured fighter on the promotion's active roster. It's unclear if he was released or did not renew at the conclusion of a contract. 'There is nothing I enjoy more than stepping into the octagon and fighting for our fans,' Guida wrote. 'I am truly grateful to Dana White and his outstanding staff for giving a kid with average skills but above-average work ethic the opportunity to fulfill his dreams as a wrestler and mixed martial artist.' Guida, 43, said he's competed in sports for 38 years – including 19 years in the UFC. He thanked everyone from friends to family to training partners and coaches for helping him along a journey that's been rare in longevity. From his promotional debut, a win over Justin James on Oct. 14, 2006 at UFC 64, through his submission loss to Chase Hooper in December at UFC 310, Guida competed a total of 37 times under the UFC banner. He faced a who's who of top-tier lightweight and featherweight talent including Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Kenny Florian, Brian Ortega, and Chad Mendes. His 'The Ultimate Fighter Finale 9' bout vs. Diego Sanchez landed in the UFC Hall of Fame fight wing, inducted in 2019. Guida will likely be remembered not only for his longevity, but for his seemingly endless cardio tank, signature hair, and unorthodox pre-fight ritual with brother Jason Guida. But the story might not be over yet. Guida indicated while he's parted ways with the promotion, the move does not mean he's retired. 'This is not my retirement,' Guida wrote. 'This is simply a thank-you for now and a passing of my UFC torch to the next generation of warriors and wrestlers. We were built to last. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The best is yet to come! Straight to the top, because wrestling is life! Now let's go fishing!'
