Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Frankie Edgar isn't the only one heading down to the promotions featherweight division.
Following in the footsteps of "The Answer," Clay Guida will shed the weight to join the 145-pound weight class which is currently ruled by Jose Aldo. The competition for "The Carpenter," however, will still be as tough, as the featherweight class boasts a bevy of talented stars such as Chad Mendes, Erik Koch, Cub Swanson and "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung
Not to mention rising stars such as Ricardo Lamas, Dustin Poirier and the always dangerous, Hatsu Hioki.
Guida made the announcement via his management team, VFD Sports.
"It will be nice to finally be one of the bigger guys in the cage. I don't cut weight at 155, and making 145 will be no problem for me. My fans will get to see The Dude put some royal beatings on everyone in the division. I will not be satisfied until the Featherweight belt is mine."
"The Carpenter" has always been one of the most popular and exciting fighters to step inside the Octagon. Sure, he received much criticism for his last outing against Gray Maynard; as many blasted the Jackson-Winkeljohn trained fighter for not standing in the pocket with his foe, choosing a stick-and-move attack, instead.
The strategy didn't prove successful as "The Bully" coasted to a unanimous decision victory.
However, one can't argue Guida's toughness and knack for putting on exciting fights, as evidenced by his classic battles against Tyson Griffin, Diego Sanchez and Ben Henderson. Not to mention he has five "Fight of the Night" bonuses to his credit to go along with two "Fight of The Year" awards.
Though he competed 16 times at 155-pounds inside the Octagon, Guida never had the opportunity to fight for the division title. He failed to earn a bid to face Frankie Edgar for the belt when he came up short against the aforementioned Ben Henderson, at UFC on Fox 1: "Velasquez vs. Dos Santos" back on Nov. 12, 2011.
Currently on a two-fight skid, "The Carpenter" hopes a change in weight will finally help him achieve his goal of obtaining UFC gold. Anyone think Clay can make some noise in a talent-filled featherweight division?
Who would be a good first opponent for the scrappy fighter?