Clay Guida to make UFC featherweight debut against Hatsu Hioki

Clay Guida recently announced plans to drop down to the UFC featherweight division after being on of the top contenders in the lightweight division and he will make his featherweight debut in January.

Joe Camporeale/US PRESSWIRE

UFC officials have announced that Guida will be making his featherweight debut against Hatsu Hioki at UFC on FOX 6 on January 26th in Chicago.

Guida (29-13) is currently on a two fight losing streak after he had won four in a row. After his fourth straight win, he faced Benson Henderson at UFC on FOX 1 in a title eliminator fight, but he was defeated by unanimous decision.

His last fight came at UFC on FX 4 against Gray Maynard and he lost the fight by split decision. He was criticized by UFC President Dana White and fans because of his gameplan.

Hioki (26-5-2) has won two of his three fights in the UFC since coming to the organization after being the Shooto and Sengoku featherweight champion. After his win against Bart Palaszewski at UFC 144, he appeared set to get a title shot against Jose Aldo.

However, he decided to take a fight at UFC on FX 4 against Ricardo Lamas instead of a title shot against Aldo. He would end up being defeated by Lamas by unanimous decision and will now have to pick up a couple of more wins to receive a shot at the title.

UFC on FOX 6 takes place on January 26th from the United Center in Chicago and will be headlined by a flyweight title fight as Demetrious Johnson defends the title for the first time against John Dodson.