Elisabeth Clay

Record: 66-23-0 (W-L-D)

Birth Date: 2000-06-10

Weight Class: Meio-Pesado (74.00 kg / 163.00 lbs)

Favorite Technique: Submission-heavy game, particularly lower-body attacks like toe holds and heel hooks.

Team: Ares Association

Did you know?

Of Clay's 66 recorded wins, 52 came by submission, a 79 percent submission rate against a site average of 40 percent. That is a finisher's game, not a points game.
Her recorded finishes lean heavily on the lower body. The straight ankle lock leads with 12 wins, followed by the toe hold and inside heel hook at 5 each, with kneebars adding another 4.
Clay is 0 and 3 on record against both Ana Carolina Vieira and Rafaela Ribeiro Guedes across 3 meetings each. Those are the matchups that have consistently given her trouble.
Her busiest recorded year was 2021 with 25 matches, the same year she picked up the F2W Heavyweight title and her first IBJJF No-Gi Worlds and Pans gold.
She caught Gabrieli Pessanha with an inside heel hook at the 2025 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship. That is one of the standout finishes on a record that runs 47 matches no-gi to 36 in the gi.

Early Life and Transition to Grappling

Elisabeth Clay was born on June 10, 2000, in Katy, Texas, USA. Her family relocated first to Oklahoma and later settled in Alaska. Clay's athletic journey began at just 18 months old with gymnastics, laying a strong foundation for her future athletic endeavors. Her introduction to martial arts came through mixed martial arts training, where she quickly discovered a natural affinity and talent for grappling. Recognizing her potential, Clay fully committed herself to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in Alaska.

Rapid Rise Through the Ranks

Clay's competitive potential emerged early in her grappling career. At only 16 years old, she qualified for the prestigious 2017 ADCC World Championship by winning the North American Trials, though an injury prevented her from competing at the main event. Initially training at Legacy Jiu-Jitsu in Anchorage under Jordan Kontra, an affiliate of Ares Association, Clay relocated in 2018 to the Ares Jiu-Jitsu headquarters in Modesto, California. There, she refined her skills under renowned coaches Osvaldo Moizinho and Samir Chantre. Despite returning to Alaska in early 2019 for family reasons, Clay maintained her competitive momentum and earned her black belt in November 2020.

Submission-Heavy Competition Style

Elisabeth Clay is widely recognized for her aggressive, submission-oriented style, particularly her mastery of lower-body attacks such as toe holds and heel hooks. Approximately 78% of her black belt victories have come via submission, highlighting her effectiveness in decisively finishing matches. At the Polaris 23 Grand Prix (2023), Clay demonstrated her technical precision by submitting Ffion Davies with a toe hold and securing a strategic sweep victory over Amy Campo in the final.

Rivalry with Amy Campo

Clay maintains a compelling competitive rivalry with fellow elite grappler Amy Campo. The two athletes have faced each other multiple times in high-profile gi and no-gi competitions. Clay's victory over Campo at the Polaris 23 Grand Prix (2023) evened their black belt matchup record, underscoring the closely contested nature of their rivalry and building anticipation for future encounters.

Notable Tournament Performances

Polaris 23 Grand Prix (2023)

In March 2023, Clay captured the inaugural women's Grand Prix title at Polaris 23 Grand Prix (2023), defeating elite competitors Ffion Davies and Amy Campo. Her performance showcased both her submission prowess and tactical awareness.

2023 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals

At the 2023 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, Clay advanced to the semi-finals in both her weight and absolute divisions. Notably, she submitted Maria Malyjasiak via toe hold in the absolute quarter-final. However, she experienced a controversial loss in the medium-heavy semi-final after officials overturned an initial victory.

Black Belt Debut and Subsequent Matches

Clay made her black belt debut at F2W 158 (2020). She subsequently competed at Who's Number One, securing a notable victory against Nikki Sullivan.

Balancing Motherhood and Elite Competition

Demonstrating remarkable dedication and resilience, Elisabeth Clay returned to high-level competition at the 2024 IBJJF No Gi Pan Championship less than three months after giving birth. Her ability to balance motherhood with elite-level grappling exemplifies her unwavering commitment and passion for the sport. Clay is also preparing for a highly anticipated rematch with Brianna Ste-Marie at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10.

Elisabeth Clay's Videos

Elisabeth Clay hits her SIGNATURE leg lock 💥 #IBJJFPans

Elisabeth Clay gets the TAP 💥 #IBJJFPans

Back like she never left 💯 What do you want to see next for Elisabeth Clay?

Elisabeth Clay Drills Heel Hooks With Queixinho

Will Elisabeth Clay Capture Her First Gi World Title at the 2026 Worlds?

All Access: Behind The Scenes At Worlds With Lis Clay

Overall Performance Summary

Total Matchups

Wins

66 (74.16%)

Losses

23 (25.84%)

Draws

0 (0.0%)

Win/Loss By Method

Elisabeth's Matchup History