Clay Guida: I've fought numerous opponents better than Ben Henderson

Confident "Carpenter" is confident.

UFC lightweight tornado Clay Guida is feeling pretty good about his chances against Ben Henderson when they throw down on the preliminary card of UFC on FOX tomorrow (Nov. 12, 2011) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The winner is expected to challenge Frankie Edgar for "The Answer's" lightweight title in early 2012.

Henderson recently derailed the Jim Miller hype train and spoiled his title plans by dominating him at UFC on Versus 5 to secure a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

Guida was not impressed.

That's because he's already fought "numerous opponents" who are better than "Bendo," according to comments he made during this week's UFC on FOX pre-fight press conference (via USA Today):

"I believe I've fought numerous opponents that are better. I believe Nate Diaz is better on the ground. I believe (Takanori) Gomi is a more well-rounded fighter; maybe I caught him on the end of his career. I believe we've got an up-and-comer in Rafael Dos Anjos, who's starting to surprise people; (he's) got great stand-up, great grappling (with) his ground game. We've seen his knockout power now. We'll see how he does against Gleison Tibau. I can't go over every name I've fought. I think I've got 50 fights; I'll be sitting here until Saturday morning. But I know that I have the confidence and the experience to take him down."

Guida recently played spoilsport to Anthony Pettis, who had actually earned himself a chance at the lightweight championship, but chose to fight in lieu of waiting around.

Unfortunately for "Showtime," that meant a war against the energetic caveman and "The Carpenter" used his superior wrestling to send him to the back of the line, catapulting himself to the front of it in the process.

He's ripped off four wins in a row and if he makes it five at the expense of Henderson, it will become increasingly more difficult to justify not giving him a title shot.

Especially with Melvin Guillard no longer "in the mix."

Do we wait for the winner of Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal before committing to anything? Or is it pointless to even have this conversation because Henderson will win?

Thoughts?