UFC
Manager says Clay Guida wants a title shot, but willing to fight Ben Henderson on Fox to get it
Aug 23, 2011 - 12:00:04 PM Manager says Clay Guida wants a title shot, but willing to fight Ben Henderson on Fox to get it

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC's lightweight division is one of the most packed in the sport, with no shortage of fighters climbing their way to the top of the ranks and staking a claim for a shot at the UFC Lightweight Title.

One such fighter is Clay Guida who, after posting four straight wins in the UFC and knocking off the final WEC Lightweight Champ Anthony Pettis in June, believes he's deserving a shot.

However, with a number of other fighters in the same position in having picked up some big wins recently - Melvin Guillard and Ben Henderson immediately spring to mind - Guida knows that may not be in the cards. While he hopes to gain consideration for that shot, he's more than willing to take another big fight to solidify his opportunity, and hopes it comes on the UFC's Fox debut this November.

"Clay feels that by beating Pettis in such a dominating fashion, that we've done enough for a title (shot)," Guida's manager John Fosco said in an interview with MMAjunkie.com. "But listen, the UFC calls the shots, we follow suit, and if they feel that he needs to get in the cage against a guy like Ben Henderson, we will happily get in the cage and make a statement.

"We will attract a whole new number of viewers on prime-time TV because we know Clay's style. We know it's high-pace and high-energy. He's a polarizing guy in a positive way. Ben Henderson is a very tough guy; we have a ton of respect for him, and we feel he brings the same kind of passion and energy.

"With the enormity of this FOX deal, I really think the UFC has to make wise business decisions in terms of who they put in the cage when it comes to keeping viewers tuned in."

If the fight gets booked for the UFC's debut on Fox, it would take place on November 12 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: Guida's not going to be held out of action for several more months in order to get the next shot at the title. He's more than likely going to be paired up with Henderson, and the Fox event is not at all a bad spot for that fight. If that was the opening fight to the one hour broadcast on November 12, it would be a likely fast paced and violent beginning to the UFC's first foray onto network television, and might just be putting their best foot forward with what Henderson's been able to do recently. The winner of that fight would be very deserving of a title shot, but may still have to step behind Melvin Guillard for the first crack at the belt. It all depends on timing, but Guida-Henderson almost has to happen at this point.