TUF 13 Finale: 5 Reasons Why Anthony Pettis Will Dominate Clay Guida

When the WEC merged with the UFC in December of 2010, the planned unification bout between WEC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis and the winner of the Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard fight for UFC lightweight championship belt was one of the most highly anticipated fights going into 2011.

But with Edgar and Maynard fighting to a draw, the unification match was postponed.

Rather than stay on the sidelines, Pettis will face fellow contender Clay Guida at the Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale in June.

Here are five reasons why “Showtime” will dominate this match and finally get the title shot he deserves.

5. Striking Precision

Pettis has been known to throw some lightning quick strikes.

Knocking out Danny Castillo at WEC 47 with a vicious roundhouse kick to the head, Pettis has some of the fastest hands and feet in the lightweight division.

He’s not only fast, but precise with each of his techniques—even the crazy ones.

“The Carpenter” has had trouble before with technical strikers, getting picked apart by Kenny Florian at UFC 107.

If Pettis can stuff the takedowns and keep his range, then he should be able to put on a striking clinic.

4. Grappling

Guida is no one to count out on the ground.  Submitting his last three opponents, his most recent win produced a Submission of the Night guillotine choke against Japanese superstar Takanori Gomi at UFC 125.

But he’s also fallen prey when taking the fight to the mat, with submission losses to Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian.

For all the talk about Pettis’ striking, his submissions, particularly his triangle choke, earned him three of his five wins in the WEC.

“Showtime’s” BJJ is slick. He constantly pressures his opponents, which should give Guida plenty of trouble if he takes down the Duke Roufus product.

3. Guida’s Recklessness

Many people find “The Carpenter’s” style of fighting exciting, throwing caution to the wind and leaving it all in the octagon.

But each time he gets bloodied and battered, he loses his composure and takes a lot of unnecessary damage, like his fight against Diego Sanchez at the TUF 9 Finale.

As long as Pettis doesn’t get into a dog fight, he will no doubt take advantage of Guida’s recklessness and implement his game plan.  

2. Creativity

Pettis has dominated his opponents with some amazing moves never before seen in the cage.

His infusion of capoeira and Tae Kwon Do kicks has baffled the likes of Shane Roller and Alex Karalexis.  Not to mention the “Showtime Kick” that knocked down Ben Henderson and won him the belt.

Guida has faced high level strikers, but none who have used such funky angles and acrobatic strikes so effectively like Pettis. Watch to see some amazing moves most other fighters wouldn’t even think of trying in the Octagon.

1. A Shot for the UFC Belt

Having already retired the WEC belt, “Showtime” should be hungry for a chance for UFC gold.

Having had his previous fight for the belt postponed, I doubt he will let the chance to face the winner of Edgar vs. Maynard III slip through his hands.

Nothing is more dangerous than a hungry fighter waiting for his chance to become a champion.