TJ Grant Awarded Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot, Could Happen at UFC on Fox Sports 1
TJ Grant wasn't out there to make a statement, but he couldn't have been anymore impressive demolishing Gray Maynard at UFC 160, earning the next shot at Benson Henderson‘s UFC lightweight title.
“We're looking at all these different fights and options and all these different things to do. I wanted to make sure that the next contender for the title was putting on great fights,” UFC president Dana White said at Saturday night's post-fight press conference in Las Vegas. “I wanted to see something good tonight, I wanted to see something special, and I saw that tonight. Grant's getting the next title shot.”
“Coming into this fight, I blocked out all the other things that were going on,” Grant explained. “I knew I had a tough fight ahead of me, and I knew if I went out there and fought like I always do, I'd make some fans and hopefully open some eyes.
“I didn't want to come out and make a statement because I just feel like if I just go fight my fight that's going to be a statement enough.”
While White wasn't able to confirm a date for the match-up with Henderson, he later revealed that the bout is one of several being considered for the first UFC event on Fox Sports 1 when the network launches in August.
That would suit Grant just fine. He is ready to go and wants to fight before his wedding in October.
“I've never been this healthy after a fight. I feel 100-percent good and I'm ready to go whenever,” he continued.
“I get married in October, so maybe sooner might be better. I'm going to enjoy this for a couple of days, but then it's back to work. I know what kind of champion Benson is and I'm going to work my butt off.”
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