Dec 07 Looking for the Finish: Grant Talks about Fight with Burns at UFC 107

When going into a mixed martial arts fight there are two things that need to be done to get your name out there. Win and look impressive doing it. T.J Grant will be looking to do both this Saturday when he takes on Kevin Burns at UFC 107 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Cole Harbour native is ready and excited about the fight.

 

“Training went well, we went down to Ohio and got a good couple of weeks down there,” says Grant.

 

 

“Of course I also did training here at Fitplus. It's been pretty hard for this one. This is a big fight for me.”

 

Since making his way up to the UFC, Grant has had ups and downs. Those ups included being the first fighter developed in Atlantic Canada to make it to the big show. He did so with a big impression in his debut when he beat former Pride star Ryo Chonan at UFC 97 in April . The down was losing his last fight to Dong Hyun Kim t at UFC 100 in July. Grant has also seen fights against Martin Kampmann and Rory Markham scheduled only to be canceled.

 

While Grant has had a wild ride so far in the UFC, Burns ride has been the same, After getting a win at UFC 85 last year against Roan Carneiro, things have not gone his way. Even though he did win his next fight at Fight Night 14 over Anthony Johnson, it was because Johnson received several eye pokes from Burns that caused a stoppage. The Fire has since lost two straight in a rematch against Johnson and Chris Lytle. While Burns may be desperate for win, Grant knows what has to do and know what could be waiting for him if he loses.

 

“I am just going to go out there and fight,” says Grant.

 

“I am not going to think too much about it but I know what is at stack with the UFC. They have so may talented fighters that two in a row could smell the end. I am just gonna go out there and I am going for the win. He (Burns) is coming off two loses in a row. I am assuming he is going into this fight hungry.”

 

While Grant knows that he is going to get a tough fight, he knew he would have to step up in the gym . He brought his training regiment to a new level with his teammates and coaches at Fitplus in Dartmouth. Also for this fight, he and his trainers went down to Jorge Gurgel's camp in Cincinnati. While this may be news to some of Grant's fans it is not the first timem he has gone to the camp numerous times for training and guys from Gurgel's camp including Gurgel himself come to Nova Scotia to teach seminars amongst other things. While down for the two weeks, Grant took advantage of the time.

 

“They have bunch of talented guys down there,” says Grant.

 

“They have a lot of good jiu jitsu guys down there. Rich Franklin and Dustin (Hazelett) were both there along with other talented guys. It was good to get down there, good deep, every round is a tough round, always getting pushed. It was definatliy a good experience.”

 

By the looks of things, Grant will have a new look to him for this fight but in more ways then one. Grant has decided to grow a beard for this fight. The idea came from his manager/trainer Scott Maclean when he seen everyone at Gurgel's camp had them. So the trainers and Grant join the fun and grew them together for team unity. While the beard maybe a new look for him to show off, the fight is where he wants show off his new moves.

 

“I think this is the best T.J Grant we will see,” says Maclean.

“You are going to see the most exciting, biggest, strongest and most prepared we have ever seen him and I think he will beat Burns.”

 

Photo from the article was taken from the chronicle heard newspaper in Halifax

Tags: Kevin Burns \ MMA \ TJ Grant \ UFC 107

< Prev		Next >