Cdn Grant pulls out of UFC title fight again

Canadian T.J. Grant has been forced to pull out of his title fight against Anthony Pettis. (Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)

Sportsnet Staff September 17, 2013, 1:39 AM

Canadian T.J. Grant has been forced to withdraw from another title fight against UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.

The 29-year-old from Halifax announced on his official Twitter feed Monday night that he has still not recovered from the concussion-related issues that forced him out of his first championship bout opportunity against Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in Milwaukee in August.

Anthony Pettis, who was given Grant’s spot at the time, beat Henderson via armbar submission in the first round.

Pettis will now face No. 5 ranked Josh (The Punk( Thomson on the Dec. 14 UFC on Fox 9 card at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

Hey people. Quick update. Unfortunately I won't be fighting Pettis on dec 14. I am still not yet 100% n can't commit to fight. UFC is going

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 17, 2013

With someone else instead. It sucks but it is the best for both myself and the UFC. Please don't worry. Ill be back and if I gotta fight

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 17, 2013

Someone else to get back to where I wanna be then that's what I'm gonna do. I'm not bitter. Thanks

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 17, 2013

Grant has won his last five fights since dropping down to lightweight, earning the right to fight for the belt after beating Gray Maynard in the first round by TKO in a lightweight title eliminator on the UFC 160 card in May.

Grant recently tweeted that UFC president Dana White had told him he’d be the challenger in Pettis’ first title defence.