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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.