WEC 49 Combatant Josh Grispi Does It for the Love of the Game

If you're Josh "The Fluke" Grispi or one his many loyal fans the wait is finally over as he returns to the cage on Sunday to take on the well rounded LC Davis on the Versus televised WEC 49: Varner vs Shalorus at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

In the days leading to his previous outing against MMA veteran Jens 'Lil Evil' Pulver, Grispi suffered an ankle injury that didn't sideline him for the bout, but following the 33 second submission win kept him on the shelf for just over a year.

Josh took some time to discuss his injury, the fight with Davis and his future in the WEC during a recent interview with Bleacher Report.

"Training camp went great.  It went really well.  I feel like we're peaking at the perfect time and everything is looking to be right on track for this fight with Davis.  The ankle is doing fine.  I'm not worried about it.  Even if it were bothering me, I probably wouldn't tell you about it anyway," stated the featherweight fighter.

Even though he laughed as the last sentence was spoken, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the tough fighter out of Rockland was completely serious considering his last performance.

Whether or not the ankle is back in top shape he's set to do battle with one LC Davis.

Both fighters boast impressive records, and with their total wins and stoppage wins, both combatants prove to be well rounded—their TKO and submissions wins are nearly even.

"In LC I think I've got the bigger reach and I'm going to be more aggressive, but overall it is a really good matchup.  He's a well rounded fighter and it's going to be a really good fight up in Canada," predicts Grispi.

Speaking of the land up north, this will mark the first time in Grispi's career that he will be fighting outside of the United States.

"I've never been to Edmonton and I'm really excited about it.  I don't think there are any sort of adjustments I need to make in terms of my game, but overall I'm just really looking forward to fighting up there in front of the Canadian fight fans," Grispi states.

Following this event up in Canada, the WEC is officially set to host it's 50th event at the Palms in Las Vegas.  With Grispi being out of action for just over a year it's a show that he's looking forward to being a part of.

Says Grispi on his future plans, "with me being out for the past year, I'm really looking forward to fighting again.  If possible, I'd like to fight two or three more times this year.  There's a show in August that would be nice to be on, but really it's all up to the guys at the WEC and what they want to do."

It's tough to say what a win over Davis would ultimately do for the career of Grispi. 

Whatever it is, he's ready.

"I think a win over LC puts me in line for a title, but like I said it's really up to Reed [Harris]. It's all the same to me, I'll be ready for whoever they put in front of me at 145 lbs," states a confident Grispi.

That last comment prompted the question of just how much longer Josh's 5'11" frame could handle the weight cut of making the featherweight division.  I was surprised to find out that while we were conducting the interview he was waiting for his flight to board at the airport and was kinda bummed out that he couldn't find any food anywhere. 

I guess cutting weight isn't as hard for "The Fluke" as I had initially thought.

"I walk around in between fights at around 175 lbs. and I haven't yet in my career had trouble making weight in the featherweight division. So for right now, I'm comfortable at 145 lbs.  When my body begins to have trouble making it then obviously I'll head to 155.  Either way, it doesn't really matter to me what division I fight in.

He adds, "fact is, I'm not a complicated guy, I fight simply because I love it."

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