Clayton Charles Guida (pronounced /ˈɡwiːdə/; born December 8, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist and currently fighting in the UFC as a lightweight. Guida was the first Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and held the title until being defeated by Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce: Revenge. As of October 2011, Guida is ranked as the #8 lightweight fighter in the world by Sherdog and #6 lightweight by MMAWeekly.com.

Guida is renowned for his relentless pressure and unending stamina.

During the early stages of his MMA career, Guida worked as a carpenter (leading to his nickname, "The Carpenter") while training and fighting in his spare time, compiling a professional record of 20-6.

Clay was generous enough to finance the inspirational video played before the state championship matches. He stepped in with the money after the Illinois High School Association was not able to pay for it.^{[unreliable source?]} Clay is a former Illinois wrestler for Johnsburg High School.

Guida was successful in his UFC debut, submitting Justin James in the second round at UFC 64.

Dana White (born July 28, 1969) is the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States.

Born in Manchester, Connecticut on July 28, 1969, White grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ware, Massachusetts and Levant, Maine. White is a passionate Boston Red Sox fan. During his youth, he bounced back and forth between Boston and Maine. He attended the University of Massachusetts Boston but did not finish; however, while there he did launch a boxing program for inner-city youth.

White has a background as an aerobics instructor. In 1992, White established Dana White Enterprises in Las Vegas. He conducted aerobics classes at three gyms in the Las Vegas area and began managing MMA fighters Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell.

While working as a manager, White learned that Semaphore Entertainment Group, the parent company of the UFC, was looking for a buyer for the UFC. White contacted childhood friend Lorenzo Fertitta, an executive at Station Casinos, and a former commissioner of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Within a month, Lorenzo and his older brother Frank bought the UFC, with White installed as its president. White currently owns about 9% of Zuffa, LLC, the entity the Fertitta brothers created to own and manage the UFC.

Bradley Gray Maynard (born May 9, 1979) is an American amateur wrestler and professional mixed martial artist, who competes as a lightweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has recorded one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history, at 9 seconds against Joe Veres. He is one of only two fighters to hold a win over former champion Frankie Edgar, with whom he has a noted rivalry. As of March 2012, Maynard is ranked as the #4 lightweight fighter in the world by Sherdog.

Maynard's father, Jan, was a two-time Ohio high school state wrestling champion. He also has a sister named Misty. Maynard attended Bonanza High School in Las Vegas and transferred to St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, for two years, and excelled in its wrestling program. In 1997, he placed second in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state tournament in the 140 lb weight class for Division I. In 1998, he was the state champion at the 152 lb weight class. His high school record was an impressive 135–16, including being undefeated in his sophomore and senior years. His nickname of "Bully" came from his dog, Hank, a bull terrier he rescued.

Chad Edward Mendes (born May 1, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Wrestling for Hanford High School, Mendes finished 8th in the state of California as a sophomore at 103 lbs in 2001. He placed 5th as a junior at 112 lbs in 2002. And 3rd as a senior at a 119 lbs in 2003. Mendes was also a Cadet All-American.

Mendes wrestled for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. He finished his career with an overall record of 64-14. As a senior, Mendes finished the year with a 30-1 record; he placed 2nd in the 2008 NCAA championships at 141 lb., falling to Ohio State's J Jaggers in the title match. That year, Mendes was Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year. Mendes also received All-American honors in 2006, finishing 6th at 125 lb.

Structurally, Chad Mendes is knows to apply the Lay-and-Pray fighting methodology within his strategic and tactical approach to each MMA bout. This is primarily due to his extensive wrestling background with limited experience in the area of various striking and submission arts.

Chael Patrick Sonnen (pronounced /ˈtʃeɪl ˈsʌnən/; born April 3, 1977) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Oregon, a silver medalist at the 2000 Greco-Roman World University Championships, as well as a two-time Dave Schultz Memorial International Greco-Roman winner.

As of October 2011^[update], Sonnen is ranked as the No. 2 middleweight in the world by Sherdog.

Sonnen was born Chael Patrick Sonnen on April 3, 1977 in West Linn, Oregon.

Sonnen started his MMA career at the age of 19 in 1997 by defeating Ben Hailey in Vancouver, Washington. His second fight was against future ICON Sport Middleweight Champion and Strikeforce Middleweight contender Jason "Mayhem" Miller. Sonnen went 6–0 in his first six fights, until his loss to Trevor Prangley, which he later avenged in 2006 at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 4. He also fought The Ultimate Fighter winner and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin.