UFC Hall of Famer Clay Guida reveals why he still ‘loves competing’ at 44 years old

Feb 26, 2026 - 22:15

After 63 professional MMA fights and over seven hours spent inside the UFC’s Octagon, Clay Guida still loves to fight.

‘The Carpenter’ turned 44 in December, but finds himself in the best shape of his life as he competes in his 23rd year as an active fighter.

Clay Guida is inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his 2009 fight against Diego Sanchez during the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Induction Ceremony inside The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada — Guida was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his 2009 epic war with Diego Sanchez

When announcing his exit from the UFC in early 2025, Guida made sure to assure fans, ‘this is not my retirement,’ as he thanked UFC CEO Dana White for allowing him to fulfil his childhood dream.

And just as he did throughout his 21-year professional MMA career, the Illinois native has stuck to his word and now finds himself back in action this weekend.

What is Clay Guida doing now?

Guida faces content creator Keelon ‘Mugzy’ Jimison under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday.

He made his debut for the promotion at RAF03, where UFC lightweight Michael Chandler defeated Chad Mendes, and returns for RAF06 — headlined by MMA legends Henry Cejudo and Urijah Faber.

The promotion has acquired a plethora of past and present UFC stars since launching last year, including former champion and No. 1-ranked UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili.

Guida, who started wrestling at a young age because of his brother, is thriving in his role at RAF as he revisits his roots.

“I get to start my career backwards, I get to do what one of my first loves was and I get to wrestle,” Guida told talkSPORT.com

“Without wrestling, I wouldn’t have gotten to mixed martial arts. I wouldn’t have gotten into the UFC.

“We wouldn’t have had success in our mixed martial arts career and fought in the UFC for almost 20 years.

“I owe it all to the sport of wrestling and that’s why I’m doing it. I still get to strap the shoes on and go out there and be a professional athlete for a while and it means a lot to me.

US fighter BJ Penn (L) competes against US fighter Clay Guida (R) during their men's lightweight bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 237 event (UFC 237) at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro on May 11, 2019 — ‘The Carpenter’ has fought a who’s who of the best fighters in the world, including BJ Penn in 2019

Clay Guida (L) battles Nate Diaz at UFC 94 Georges St-Pierre vs. BJ Penn 2 at the MGM Grand Arena on January 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada — And a young Nate Diaz, 17 years ago, before the Stockton slugger would go on to defeat Conor McGregor

Clay Guida interacts with fans prior to the UFC 319 ceremonial weigh-in at Radius Chicago on August 15, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois — But wrestling was Guida’s first love — and he couldn’t be happier at RAF

When asked what keeps him motivated to continue his combat career, Guida responded with a laugh.

“I get that a lot,” he said.

“I tell people I’m 44, going on 24. I’m in better shape now than when I was 24, but pretty much even before I got into UFC.

“I love to compete. I always have it’s not out of my system. And now I get to go back to where it all began.”

It’s no surprise Guida is having such a good time while continuing to put his body to the test every week at the first unscripted professional freestyle wrestling league.

His passion for the outdoors has allowed him to transition naturally into life outside of combat sports, spending time on lakes, boats and in the wild when he isn’t on the mat.

A graphic of Clay Guida's record and UFC fight time

Guida is one of the longest-serving UFC fighters of all time[/caption]

Most fights in UFC history

Jim Miller – 46
Andrei Arlovski – 42
Donald Cerrone – 38
Clay Guida – 37
Neil Magny – 37

The 44-year-old has started his own fishing guiding service — Gillz and Thrillz — as well as a hunting one with fellow UFC veteran Mendes — Finz and Featherz.

“Daniel Cormier said it best,” Guida added.

“You get to turn your passion into your profession. Wrestling was my passion and I got to turn it into mixed martial arts as a UFC fighter.

“Fishing is my passion and I’ve turned it into a business.”

So with such an enjoyable life at present, it begs the question: Will ‘The Carpenter’ ever hang up his tools?

Guida: I know when I’m done

“People keep asking me, ‘When are you going to retire? When are you going to retire?'” Guida concluded.

Clay Guida looks on in a lightweight bout against Chase Hooper during the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada — Guida said he’ll know when it’s his time to walk away from combat sports

“I told people I said I retired when I was 24 and I started doing what I love.

“I was able to walk away from the construction business. I was able to walk away from building houses.

“So I said, ‘Hey, I retired from that and I became a professional athlete. I started doing what I love.

“I tell people, I don’t want to retire too early because I don’t want to be one of those athletes—nothing against them—that makes your official retirement and six months later you come back and put the gloves on.

“I’m just going to ride it out and have fun and I’ll know when I’m done and then I’ll walk away and I won’t go back to it.

“I’ll be cool with that and I’ll ride off into the sunset on a fishing boat on a wrestling mat and I’ll take comfort in that.”

Guida still keeps up with the biggest UFC fights, especially when his teammates are competing.

Although he admitted the promotion’s upcoming show at the White House would be a ‘no-brainer’ venue for a comeback fight, Guida is at peace with his career and loving every moment at RAF.

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.