James Brydon

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T.J. Grant.

Canadian welterweight T.J. Grant is no stranger to fighting in Montreal. Even prior to his UFC debut at last year’s event at the Bell Centre, he had fought there three times as part of the TKO Championship Fighting promotion.

This time it’s different. At UFC 97, the Cole Harbour, N.S., native didn’t really get to appreciate the whole experience. It was his first fight in the “big show” and he wasn’t accustomed to everything that surrounds being in the UFC. But he earned a split decision over Ryo Chonan and now after three appearances in the Octagon -- two of them wins -- it’s old hat now.

Well, sort of. Coming off his first Knockout of the Night honour in December when he dispatched of Kevin Burns in the first round -- it was his first knockout of any kind in three years -- the 26-year-old is certainly riding high.

I had a chance to talk to him a few days before heading back to the place where his UFC career got a jumpstart.

James Brydon: You’ve gone through this before with the UFC in Montreal, but how does it feel this time around?

T.J. Grant: I feel better than last time. I’m more comfortable, my training went really well. I know what to expect in the UFC, and I’m well-prepared for this one.

JB: Did you do anything different in your training?

TG: No, not really. Everything just worked out. My body feels great, I feel stronger, faster. Everything’s good and I’m just looking forward to this fight. Big-time.

JB: What were the main things you worked on?

TG: I went to Thailand in March for three weeks and trained at Kaewsamrit Gym (in Bangkok). It’s the place we always go, it’s highly a renowned gym in Thailand.

Also, (fellow Canadian welterweight) Jordan Mein (from Lethbridge, Alta.) came down for a week to help with training. And Michael Chandler, a high-level wrestler from Missouri, came up to help me. Johny’s a tough wrestler, so I had to get extra ready for that.

JB: He’s the most accomplished wrestler you’ve ever faced, wouldn‘t you say?

TG: Easily. He’s a two-time (NCAA Division I) national (165-pound wrestling) champion, he’s no joke. I have no illusions. I know how good of a wrestler he is and I know where I’m at with my wrestling. But it’s an MMA fight, I have to go out there and bring it and be smart.

JB: You won your last fight by TKO, which is something you hadn’t done for a while. Do you see yourself going for that in this one?

TG: I just don’t want to end up on my back in this fight. I’ll take the fight wherever I can and wherever I need to go. If I have to stand up and knock him out or try to knock him out, that’s what I’ll do. Whatever it takes to get the win. I’m not going to go out there with a set game plan. The main thing is not to get put on my back and be held down, and if I do get taken down to get right back up. If I have to take him down, I’ll do that too.

JB: Hendricks is undefeated in seven fights. What do you feel you have to offer that others have yet to that will allow you to give him his first loss?

TG: I think I’m just well rounded, he’s not going to have a second off in the fight. I’m just going to attack him and constantly push the pace. He likes to do that too, so it’s going to be a good one, it’s going to be a battle of who can hang longer in the fight.

JB: You fought on the same card as Hendricks (UFC 107 on Dec. 12) last time. Did you get to see his fight?

TG: Yeah, I saw his fight with Ricardo Funch. He dominated, it was kind of tentative for the first round and by the end of it he kind of broke him and Funch got tired, and that was it. He pretty much had his way for the rest of the time.

I’ve seen a lot of his fights in his grappling videos. He’s good, not only as a wrestler, but he’s a good grappler and his striking is getting better, so I know he’s a well-rounded fighter. Definitely my toughest fight to date.