There's some mighty big sports news coming out of my hometown here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada this weekend...and it has nothing to do with-our home and native son-hockey phenom, Sydney Crosby.
This news is about a hometown fighter named TJ Grant who has a shot at playing in the big show, on undoubtedly the worlds biggest MMA stage. TJ Grant is the new hometown-boy-makes-it-big story, he has been signed to a four fight deal with the UFC.
One of the top Canadian prospects out there, TJ Grant is set to make his big stage debut at UFC 97 which will be held in Canada at the Bell Centre in Montreal. TJ 's opponent is said to be the versatile Japanese fighter Ryo Chonan.
This is a golden opportunity deal for Grant that could very well produce another 170 pound Mixed Martial Arts superstar from Canada, however, getting past Chonan in Montreal will be first on the agenda for TJ Grant.
TJ grant is a tough young welterweight who holds a 13-2 record and is riding a four fight win streak. He has defeated UFC vets Forrest Petz and Chad Reiner during the run.
This UFC deal makes TJ a lucky fighter and he will have to hope his luck continues when he faces Ryo "flying scissors-heel hook " Chonan; this is the fighter who defeated Anderson Silva with one of the most amazing submission moves I've ever seen in my long history of being involved in the fight game.
On Dec. 31, 2004, the current pound for pound number one mixed martial arts fighter in the world, Anderson Silva faced off against Ryo Chonan at Pride Fighting Championships.
Silva was in control with a take down and body triangle in the first round, however, Chonan was able to counter Silva's knees from the clinch; despite being the huge underdog in this fight, Chonan created a showstopping highlight reel stoppage in the third round with an amazing flying scissors turned heel hook, forcing the great Anderson Silva to submit.
TJ Grant spoke to SHERDOG.COM about his opponent for his debut, Chonan "I’ve seen Chonan fight a few times in the past," he said. "He is a great fighter with very few weaknesses in his game who has much experience and has fought the who’s who of MMA and has some very impressive wins.
Fighting him is going to bring out the best in me, and I can’t wait."
God lets everything happen for a reason. It's all a learning process, and you have to go from one level to another—Mike Tyson
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