Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida to Receive UFC Hall of Fame Induction

The UFC announced over the weekend that the classic bout between Clay Guida and Diego Sanchez is going to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Their fight will be inducted into the Fight Wing at the 2019 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony slated for Friday, July 5.

The induction ceremony will be held at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster. The ceremony will also be streamed on UFC Fight Pass starting at 7:00 pm PST.

Speaking on the news in an official press release, UFC President Dana White stated the following:

“There are certain guys that when you match them up, there’s no doubt in your mind that it’s going to be a good fight, and this was one of those fights. This fight represents everything that fans around the world love about UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. Diego and Clay are two maniacs and as soon as the fight began, they both came out blasting each other, it was crazy! This was an absolute war and both guys gave everything they had for all three rounds. This fight was so good it was named the 2009 Fight of the Year. It is one of the best displays of heart, endurance and will to win that you will ever see. Congratulations to Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida on a fight that will always be remembered as one of the best ever!”

Sanchez stated on the fight, “The fight with Guida was really fun. My mentality was that it was time to get street on this wrestler and that’s exactly what I did!”

Clay Guida added, “When you take a rampaging beast like Diego Sanchez, and a wild Tasmanian devil like me, you get a recipe for Fight of the Year, and that’s what we gave UFC fans that night. The fans were the true winners and they deserved it more than anyone. Thank you for inducting this prolific battle into the UFC Hall of Fame! On behalf of my team, family, and friends that helped us prepare for that fight, we are truly honored!”

The bout was held as the main event of The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK Finale on June 20, 2009 at The Pearl in Las Vegas. Both fighters went into the bout on a winning streak. Sanchez won the fight by split decision and would go on to face BJ Penn for the UFC lightweight title in a losing effort later in that same year.