Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida: Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale
Jake RossenJun 20, 2009
Is anyone more of a lockdown artist than Guida? He’s on you like cobwebs, shutting out your game and reducing you to thoughts about how best to get him off. It’s strangely entertaining. Sanchez has more tools to win -- better wrestling to keep Guida at bay, better striking -- but Guida having played spoiler to Nate Diaz and Mac Danzig
recently is a role he’s clearly enjoying. It is well within the realm of possibility that -- barring Sanchez summoning the power of the elements indoors -- Guida could fatigue him in the clinch and win a
decision.
Round 1
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Guida's trainer slaps him across the face
repeatedly. Not to be outdone, Sanchez has his corner shoot him in a
non-vital area with a small round.
Sanchez comes out like he's on amphetamines, throwing a series of
punches that snap Guida's head back. Clearly not enjoying it, Guida
takes him down. Back standing, Guida eats a kick to the face that
should've taken his jaw off -- instead, he tolerates only temporary
paralysis before continuing to fight.
Round 2
Having failed to decapitate Guida, Sanchez now tries ripping his arm
off. Guida is content staying in guard, stifling Sanchez standing, and
not spitting out molars at a Denny's later tonight. The work nets him
the round, but he looks a bloody mess.
Round 3
Guida looks like a homicide victim who's still breathing. Sanchez
wants to open up on the feet, but he appears skittish about being
taken back down. Too late: Guida plays the Persian rug game. He's got
control, but it's Sanchez who has been making effort from the bottom.
Good luck scoring this one.
Decision:
Split decision for Sanchez. Justifiable. Guida slinks off to buy some
Tony Robbins CDs.