Since making his UFC debut against the heavily-favoured Ryo Chonan at UFC 97 in Montreal, Quebec, T.J. Grant has gone from one of Canada’s most gifted prospects to one of the nation’s most respected mixed martial artists in less than two years time.
In both victories over Chonan, Kevin Burns and Julio Paulino, and decision losses to Dong Hyun Kim, Johny Hendricks and most recently Ricardo Almeida inside the Octagon, Grant has proven to be a tough, well-rounded athlete, and at only 26 shows no signs of slowing down.
Recently, the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native took time out of his schedule for an exclusive interview to give his thoughts about the past, present and future of mixed martial arts in Canada.
Were there any Canadian mixed martial artists that you looked up to at the start of your career?
There’s a ton of guys I liked growing up, but I started at a young age, so I mean back when I started, guys like GSP weren’t really around.
When I first started training there weren’t many Canadian fighters out there, I mean obviously you look at a guy like Carlos Newton—he’s a good guy to cheer for. He was one of the first well-rounded guys in the sport, and he’s Canadian, so I obviously I cheered for him.
How different is it for young Canadian mixed martial artists trying to make a name for themselves now than it was when you were trying to get your foot in the door when you turned pro a few year back?
It’s basically the NFL, the NHL—whatever you want to call it, this is the major leagues. There are a lot of tough athletes and there’s a lot of depth, there’s a lot more fighters. There are other athletes giving up their careers to be mixed martial artists. The sport is growing so much. It’s definitely harder to get into the big show, but if that’s what you want to do, go for it.
How do you feel about the current state of Canadian mixed martial arts?
I think it’s doing great, I mean I’d like to see more shows, especially on the East Coast. I just think there need to be more shows for the younger guys, and guys with less experience. You don’t need UFC-calibre fighters, because that’s how a lot of shows seem to go bankrupt. You’ve got to get some guys and put on good shows and get the fans coming out.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the British Columbia Medical Association and their intentions to pursue banning mixed martial arts throughout Canada, citing the occurrences of “broken limbs, lacerations and brain damage” as potential afflictions to participants of the sport. How do you feel about the intentions of the B.C. Medical Association?
If they’re talking about doing that, then they should ban every other sport, they could ban hockey—a sport where you’re allowed to fight with each other, hitting is allowed. We all love to watch hockey, but I think it’s just as dangerous. I’ve been fortunate, I’ve had no major injuries—knock on wood—but look at pro football, guys are getting concussions all the time, tearing their knees up, destroying their bodies.
Personally I know a lot of guys that go in there and don’t take any damage in their fights, or if they do, it’s nothing that a couple of days of rest can’t heal. I think it’s as safe a sport as you can get, as far as combat sports. It’s obviously dangerous, there are risks involved. It’s something we all understand.
As a seasoned mixed martial artist who has, as you say, ‘knock-on-wood,’ remained relatively injury-free for the majority of his career, is there a statement that you’d like to make to the British Columbia Medical Association?
I just say, do your research—that’s basically it, it’ll show you obviously it’s dangerous, but do your research and compare it with other sports and you’ll find it’s no different.
Do you feel that there are enough opportunities for aspiring mixed martial artists in Canada?
Yeah. Like I said, I’d like to see more shows.
What advice would you give to aspiring Canadian mixed martial artists?
It’s just a matter of guys staying committed to it—you see so many guys who, after a loss, they just hang it up for a year or two. I think you’ve got to pick your fights right, you’ve got to train a lot, and after you have a fight or a win, that’s not the time to take two months off and when you have another fight, get back in the gym.
You’ve got to be training that whole time to make sure that you’re developing your skills because there’s so much to learn in the sport and if you don’t take the time to learn everything, you’re going to get into a fight and get put in a position that you don’t understand or you don’t know how to get out of, and it’s going to be a long night for you. I would definitely recommend staying with it.
You see so many guys that don’t keep training overall. I’m always evaluating myself and criticizing my own abilities and making sure that I’m trying to get better, and I think that’s what you need to do. When you get a win you’ve got to do it again—sometimes you get stagnant but you’ve got to just try to keep on getting better.
How do you feel about the future of the sport in Canada?
I think it’s bright, I think it’s bright all over the world.
It goes back to hopefully there’s more shows, and especially here on the East Coast, because not every time you get taken to Quebec is it going to be for your benefit. If you get flown up to Quebec, which is basically the closest place for guys from the Maritimes to go fight, most of the time—no knock on the Quebec promotions, it’s just that you’re being brought in to fight their local guys, and chances are you’re going to be the underdog and you’ve got to be ready for that, because opportunities like that you’ve got to take advantage of.
At times, if would be nice if we could fly in the Quebec guys, and, you know (laughs).
Do you have a favourite Canadian city to compete in?
I’m not going to lie, I love fighting at home, even though there’s tons and tons of pressure being at home.
Quebec, Montreal—I’ve fought there so many times, I love it there. I haven’t had a really good result the last two times I’ve been out there, but I’ll be back.
If I can fight at home, it’s great—the pressure is quadrupled and I usually end up getting kind of drunk at the after-party (laughs).
Who do you feel is the next great Canadian mixed martial artist?
I’m trying to work for myself to become the next great martial artist—I’m trying to get better with every fight.
But there are a lot of good fighters out there, a guy that I’ve seen for a while and knew was going to be good, who’s making his statement now in the UFC is Rory MacDonald. He’s a pretty good fighter and I’ve been a fan of his and he’s doing big things right now.
Is there anything that you’d like to say to your Canadian fans while you have this opportunity?
Thanks for the support, and I’m going to bounce back. I’m going to be back this year for sure.
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