UFC ANNOUNCES TUF 9 FINALE, GUIDA VS. SANCHEZ

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UFC ANNOUNCES TUF 9 FINALE, GUIDA VS. SANCHEZ
Monday, March 30, 2009 - Press Release courtesy of UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday officially announced the headlining match for The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 finale, which will take place Saturday, June 20 from The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, live on Spike TV. Both winners of their last three matches, ascending lightweights Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez and Clay “The Carpenter” Guida are on a collision course that will end in the Octagon for what could be three of the most furiously-paced rounds of the year.

“Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida has the potential to be one of the most action packed fights of the year,” UFC President Dana White said. “Both men have won multiple 'Fight of the Night' awards and are two of the most aggressive grapplers in the division. Guida is coming off a big win over The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 winner Nate Diaz and Sanchez just defeated The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 winner Joe Stevenson. The winner of this fight will move into the upper portion of the lightweight rankings and get that much closer to a title shot.”

Tickets for this event will go on sale Saturday, April 4 at noon PT and will be priced at $354, $254 and $154.

Coming off three impressive wins – against David Bielkheden, Luigi Fioravanti and Joe Stevenson – Diego Sanchez (fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) looks to be peaking at the perfect time in his career. In his first ever UFC fight at lightweight, the Albuquerque, N.M., native looked lean and hungry against Stevenson as he pounded out an impressive decision victory. A winner on the debut season of The Ultimate Fighter, the 27-year-old Sanchez has fond memories of fighting at The Ultimate Fighter season finales.

“Clay likes to push the pace and test a fighter’s conditioning, but so do I,” Sanchez said. “Right now, I’m at the perfect weight and it’s the perfect time in my career to make a run at the title. I’ve already won a couple matches at the finales, so I’m feeling confident heading into this fight.”

A fighter that doesn’t have an “off” switch, Clay Guida (fighting out of Johnsburg, Ill.) is known for his aggressive style and perpetual high energy level. Coming off a three round decision win against fellow rising star Nate Diaz, “The Carpenter” seems to be immune to boring fights, and he guarantees a memorable night against Sanchez, who is also known for his conditioning.

“I couldn’t feel more confident about this fight right now in my career,” Guida said. “We’re both coming off three consecutive wins and we’re two of the most explosive lightweights in the division. This has the potential to be fight of the year. My hands are going to be the best they’ve been…Vegas is where I do my best work.”