Issue 038

June 2008

Illinois-based UFC lightweight, Clay Guida is a perennial contender for ‘fight of the night’ award with his commitment to throw everything he has into each contest. Determined to put on a show and risk it all each time he steps in the cage, ‘The Carpenter’ is careful in his preparation to make sure he avoids injury and trains smart with an array of top-of-the-range protective equipment.

Kitbag

Clearly proud of his work, everyone at the gym knows who Clay works for. “I carry the UFC bag, they gave a bunch of the top UFC players a silver medallion which our names engraved on it!”

Shorts

“Premier Fighter shorts, I’ve got some of those and a load of their t-shirts.” In the eyes of the Illinois fighter, it’s the flexibility, comfort and durability which sets them apart. “I think they are the best shorts out there right now.”

Sparring equipment

Training for a fight is rough business and Guida welcomes any additional protection he can get for training and is kitted out virtually head to toe in Fairtex equipment.

“Fairtex gear is the best. They have been around for a long time and they are going to continue to be around for a long time. We spar with headgear, 16oz gloves, shin guards, elbow pads, I spar with knee pads on to keep my knees ok. We do some drills with the light MMA gloves, we go at about 60 or 70 percent, but you have to be safe in your training too.”

Some fighters complain that the Fairtex shin pads are a tad bulky, but on the flipside of that coin, more padding offers greater protection. “I like more padding, I like bigger shin pads, when you’re checking kicks against a good kickboxer, it helps pad the contact and hopefully leave you without bruises.”

Gumshield

Most fighters tend to pick sides in the debate between boil-and-bite double gumshields and the custom-made variety, but Clay uses both: “I use a Fairtex mouthguard, they have a double-sided one and I also have an ‘Ironjaw’ mouthguard. They made me two custom mouthguards which are great. They both work very well.”

Good luck charms

The superstitious among us often have good luck rituals, and fighters are no different. “I carry a little box of good luck charms from my mom and from my coaches along the way, I’ve travelled all over the world. It’s just this tiny little box, three inches by three inches. I’ve got a bunch of little charms, superstitious things and stuff like that.”

With a more serious tone, Clay went on to reveal another emotional possession and deep source of motivation, “I have a picture of my best friend, Jimmy Haynes. He died in a car crash two years ago. He was one of my biggest supporters and best friends, so I keep a picture of him in my gym bag.”

Hair products

Clay explained that he always has rubber bands with him to stop his long hair from getting in the way and laughed off suggestions that he is picky about which grooming products he uses: “Nothing specific! Any shampoo or conditioner that’s in the gym, I use whatever they got, I’m not fussy!”