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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Clay Guida's featherweight debut is set, as he'll head to the 145 lb. division for the first time on January 26 at UFC on Fox 6. According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Guida will take on longtime top-ranked featherweight Hatsu Hioki on the card, coming to Chicago's United Center.
In addition to that fight, Guida's fellow Chicago-based fighter Mike Russow will return to action as well, taking on Shawn Jordan, and the previously reported move of Erik Koch vs. Ricardo Lamas to the card was also confirmed.
"Chicago is a great fight town and we're excited to come back to the United Center on Jan. 26," UFC President Dana White said in a comment to the Sun-Times. "This will be our first big event on Fox for 2013 and we're lining up an incredible card. I can't wait to get back to Chicago for this event and I'm pumped to go back to Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, too!"
Guida isn't expecting any problems making weight for the event, the first time he'll fight at featherweight inside the Octagon, and he's excited to fight in front of a hometown crowd.
"I've never had a problem making 155 [lbs]," Guida said. "I wrestled at 149 in college, so all I'll have to do is clean up a few things in my diet. I believe I present a tougher challenge for him than he does for me."
"I know all my family and friends will be there. I need them. I love them. They're the Guida Mafia. Plus, fighting where Michael [Jordan], Scottie [Pippen] and B.J. Armstrong won the world championships and looking up at the rafters on fight night to see those banners will be a tremendous experience."
Penick's Analysis: That's a great featherweight fight, and a very tough draw for Guida in his debut in the division. It also gives Hioki a highly recognized opponent in trying to bounce back from his loss to Lamas earlier this year. This card is shaping up really well right now, and will help January be a strong opening month to the UFC's 2013 schedule.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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