Cole Harbour, N.S., native TJ Grant has a major opportunity at his hands, as UFC president Dana White says the winner of Grant’s upcoming UFC 160 fight with Gray Maynard will earn a lightweight title shot against Benson Henderson.
White made the announcement after Henderson defended his 155-pound title for the third consecutive time Saturday, defeating Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez by split decision in the main event of UFC on FOX 7.
Many felt that an immediate rematch between Henderson and Melendez was likely to take place since it was such a closely contested fight – the three judges’ scorecards Saturday night were all different.
However, White, who said he scored the bout for Henderson, decided against that.
Grant (20-5) has impressed since dropping down from the welterweight division in 2011 and is a perfect 5-0 at lightweight.
The 29-year-old is coming off a dismantling of Matt Wiman at UFC on FOX 6 in January and a Fight of the Night performance against Evan Dunham at UFC 152 in September.
Upon learning the news, Grant sent out a short tweet that spoke volumes.
Maynard (11-1-1, 1 NC) was scheduled to fight Joe Lauzon at UFC 155 in December but was forced to withdraw from the bout with a knee injury.
The 33-year-old hasn’t competed since a split decision win over Clay Guida last June. Maynard has fought for the lightweight title twice before – he fought to a draw against former champ Frankie Edgar at UFC 125 and was knocked out in their rematch at UFC 136.
UFC 160 takes place on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a heavyweight title bout between Cain Velasquez and Antonio (Bigfoot) Silva.
