The UFC has finalized a lightweight matchup that will mark the 2022 debut of one of the more beloved fighters in the division. Fordewin MMA was the first to report over the weekend that the promotion has finalized a lightweight battle between Clay Guida (37-21) and Claudia Puelles (11-2).
The matchup will take place at a UFC Fight Night on April 23rd. This is a massive fight for Puelles who will be looking to pick up his fifth straight win. After starting out his career 7-1, the UFC signed Puelles back in 2016. However, his debut didn’t go well.
After losing his debut, Puelles completely turned things around. After that loss, he’s won four straight to earn him this shot against a guy like Clay Guida. Puelles hasn’t been the most active guy since making his UFC debut, but he had a very strong 2021.
After nearly two years away from the octagon, Puelles returned last June when he took on the previously unbeaten Jordan Leavitt. He won that fight by decision. Then he fought at a UFC Fight Night on December 4th and submitted Chris Gruetzemacher. Now, he gets the biggest fight of his career in April.
UFC Fight Night
Clay Guida entered 2021 on a two-fight losing streak. Given the losing streak and his age, there were a lot of questions surrounding The Carpenter. However, he answered all the doubters and had himself a very strong 2021 UFC campaign.
He started the year in February taking on Michael Johnson. After winning that fight by decision, he got a fight with Mark Madsen in August. The fight was incredibly close and he lost a split decision. However, he bounced back strongly by submitting Leonardo Santos in December.
Had one judge felt differently, Clay Guida could’ve gone 3-0 in the UFC in 2021. Guida showed in his last fight that he doesn’t plan on slowing down at all. Now, he’s taking on a tough young contender and will look to pick up his third win in his last four fights.