Up and coming Canadian Welterweight TJ Grant will fight next weekend at TKO 32 for the TKO Welterweight Championship against Jesse Bongfeldt. Grant (9-1), made his TKO debut at TKO 30 back in Sept of '07 and coming off a win is his last bout at King of the Cage in December, looks to add the TKo WW strap around his waste. Today in an MMANews.com Exclusive interview, TJ took a few minutes to sit down and talk his upcoming fight with MMANews.com own Chris Howie.
TJ GRANT INTERVIEW MONDAY APRIL 18TH 2008
Chris Howie of MMANews.com: This is Chris Howie with MMANews.com and today I am speaking with one of Canada's brightest up and coming fighters, TJ Grant. How are you today TJ?
TJ Grant: I'm pretty good buddy how are you?
MMANews.com: I'm doing real good. So, you have a big title fight coming up at the next TKO event next Thursday (Feb. 28th), what are your thoughts on the opportunity?
TJ Grant: I'm really looking forward to it and have been training hard. Jess (Bongfeldt) is a tough guy so it should be a very good fight.
MMANews.com: Now you are fighting for the Welterweight Title but you have fought at 185lbs before. When did you decide to drop down?
TJ Grant: I fought my first fight at 185lbs but I felt that I was a little undersized for the division. I'm listed as 185lbs but I'm more comfortable at 170lbs. I've fought a fight at a catch weight of 174lbs or 178lbs but the guy came in at 183lbs. We fought anyway but nowadays I am a 170lbs all the way.
MMANews.com: What are your thoughts on the TKO organization?
TJ Grant: It's one of the top organizations in the country and it's the next step into the UFC.
MMANews.com: The last time you appeared in TKO was against Stephane Dube. How did you feel about that fight?
TJ Grant: I came into on somewhat short notice but it didn't really matter because I was already training for other fights. I wanted to go in there and take him down and submit him. I've been training stand up for a few years now and I feel very comfortable standing up but he has been doing it for a lot longer than me. A guy like Dube is dangerous standing up and for him to beat me that's where it was going to happen because I don't think he could handle me there so I just took it down and played my game.
MMANews.com: You've spent a little time over in Thailand training Muay Thai correct?
TJ Grant: Yeah we were at a pretty well known gym in Thailand. It's different over there but the training was awesome. I'm back now and I'm training hard here getting a lot of grappling and Thai boxing and boxing in.
MMANews.com: What is the daily training regimen like for you?
TJ Grant: Sometimes we do Jiu-Jitsu in the morning and other days I'll do conditioning. It kind of depends on the day but training in the morning and then again in the evening. Twice a day.
MMANews.com: Who has been helping you prepare for the fight?
TJ Grant: All the boys at Fit Plus in Halifax have been helping me out. We have Kru Chris in from Ontario as well. He's a real maniac pushing to get me in shape. He's really been helping me a lot.
MMANews.com: With a title victory next week, how far away from a trip to one of the big shows in the US do you think you may be?
TJ Grant: Well, I plan on defending the title in TKO. After that we will see what happens but I plan on fighting with TKO after this fight. I love fighting in Canada so I hope to stay here for a while and we'll take it from there.
MMANews.com: What are your thoughts on your opponent for this fight?
TJ Grant: Well Jesse seems like he is very explosive and aggressive. He is pretty well rounded as well. He's good on the feet and has good kicks and he is also good at grappling. He seems to push a really high pace and he is a tough guy. I'll be training hard and I'll be ready to hit him head-on
MMANews.com:How do you feel you match-up with him?
TJ Grant: I don't want to sound cocky but technically I feel I am a better grappler than him but I don't really like to stay how I match-up I'd rather just go out and show how I match-up. It will be interesting.
MMANews.com: Have you had the chance to watch andy video on him?
TJ Grant: Yeah, I've seen a few of his fights live and I've seen one of his fights on the internet. He's tough. I have to be ready. If it goes to the ground I feel comfortable there and if it stays up I feel comfortable there as well.
MMANews.com: What would it mean for you to become champ?
TJ Grant: It would mean a lot to me, it really would. It would help my career alot. It would help me with everything. TKO is the top show in the country so it would mean a lot to me to win their title.
MMANews.com: You have been plowing through recent competition, can we expect more of that next week?
TJ Grant: Well that's the plan. Hopefully we'll see what happens.
MMANews.com: At this point you are 9-1. I haven't had a chance to see your lone set back but could you walk us through what happened in that fight?
TJ Grant: Yeah. It went to a decision. He laid on me for the last 2 rounds. It happens.
MMANews.com: Would you like a rematch at some point?
TJ Grant: Yeah I'd like to fight him again some time.
MMANews.com: When did you begin training MMA and who were some of your inspirations getting into the sport?
TJ Grant: I started training Jiu-Jitsu back in '99. As for inspirations I've always liked guys like Couture, Henderson, Bustamante. I liked him back in the day… well I still do. I always liked the guys that carried themselves well and could fight. Didn't talk a lot and could fight.
MMANews.com: Do the talking in the ring.
TJ Grant: Exactly.
MMANews.com: What belt are you in BJJ?
TJ Grant: Right now I am a purple belt.
MMANews.com: Who is that under?
TJ Grant: That is under Jorge Gurgel.
MMANews.com: When did you guys get involved with Jorge?
TJ Grant: We heard that Jorge gave good seminars and so we had him up for a seminar. We liked what he was saying and he was a really good teacher. One thing led to another and we decided to associate with Jorge. He's a super teacher and an even better guy.
MMANews.com: What else do you do when your not training?
TJ Grant: I train full time and I also teacher full time at the Fit Plus gym.
MMANews.com: Do you have anyone you would like to thank?
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TJ Grant: I would just like to thank everyone that has helped training and I hope I can put on a good show for them next Thursday.
MMANews.com: Any sponsors you'd like to mention?
TJ Grant: Remote Access Technology, Macarthy's Roofing and The Fight Store.
MMANews.com: Ok TJ, I wish you luck in your championship fight next week and thanks for speaking with me today.
TJ Grant: Thanks buddy. I appreciate it.
