T.J. Grant looks at every fight as “make-or-break,” but even he admits the pressure will be higher than ever when he steps into the cage on Sept. 25.
The Cole Harbour mixed martial arts star, coming off a May loss at UFC 113 in Montreal, signed a contract this week to face Julio Paulino in a welterweight bout as part of UFC 119 at the 18,000-seat Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
With a 2-2 record in the UFC cage, Grant is well aware that losing back-to-back bouts could prove costly.
“I look at every fight this way but I know how it works,” Grant said.
“It’s tough to always be on the hot seat. My last fight was so close and I want to go out there and make a statement.”
Grant, who has a 15-4 career record, was defeated by Johny Hendricks at UFC 113 in a close decision that saw him lose points for two low blows.
The 26-year-old called Paulino a “heavy-handed striker” who has “good credentials.” Paulino is 17-3 overall but is coming off a loss in his only career UFC appearance.
“It’s gonna be a tough one,” Grant said.
Grant was in Ontario last week for his brother’s wedding and recently bought a house.
He’ll be training hard from here on in, and said the near-five-month break between fights will help him recharge.
“This is a physically and mentally demanding sport,” he said. “It’s good to have that downtime.”
