Man of the People Clay Guida stepped into the UFC Kansas City octagon for his 35th UFC fight, the fourth most in the promotion’s history. At 41, he’s still going strong after defeating Scott Holtzman via split decision in his last fight. This time, Guida faced off against the young innovator Rafa Garcia, who has a fifth of the number of fights in the UFC.
Both fighters have similar fighting styles quite well, but fans in Kansas City will turn to Guida because of his history of amazing cage fights and likable personality.
Both men came out swinging hard from the opening bell, but neither gained the upper hand. Rafa was pretty much pressing Clay back, but Guida kept moving constantly, looping around his forehand and avoiding many of the blows he sent his way. No real big moments happened to either man in the entire first round, but Garcia continued to touch Guida with sharp, straight shots as Clay struggled to land clean.
Clay Guida came out in the second round trying to squeeze forward, but Rafa García’s cage compound quickly allowed him to gain his front foot. Garcia stayed well ahead in the hit count and continued to punch it into Clay’s face. Guida tried to takedown early but Garcia defended his one leg shot with ease and came back to hit him with the punch.
The final round was much the same except that Clay Geda tried to bite his mouthpiece and press forward to face his opponent, as he appeared to be behind on the scorecards. But the clean, technical punch of Rafa Garcia kept pumping Gueda and sticking it out. This, together with his straightened right hand, were interrupting every movement of Guida’s work and softening his face. With forty seconds left in the round, Garcia hit a takedown but Guida defended it well against the fence. Rafa Garcia kept the batting going at a high pace until the bell sounded, and was really looking for the finish late on.
Clay well’s toughness was the only thing that allowed him to see through the final bell. The judges’ scorecards were never in doubt as all three judges had it 30-27 for Rafa Garcia. Clay Guida pulled a little prank on viewers by starting to take off his gloves as if he was retiring, but when DC brought the mic to him to ask him if he was retiring, he asked the audience what they thought, then told DC, “I fooled you guys, I won’t.” I go away after”, before giving huge props to Rafa García and offering to swap gloves for the younger man.
Official result: defeated Rafa Garcia. Clay Qweida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)