TJ Grant may not get title shot upon return

Underground
1 
                    <div class="Article" style="float: left;">
                        <table>
                        <tr style="vertical-align: bottom;">
                        <td>
                            <h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=439355" target="_blank">
                                TJ Grant may not get title shot upon return

                            </a></h3>
                        </td>
                        </tr>
                        </table>
                        <a href="/go=news.detail&gid=439355" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=100&q=75&x=252&y=25&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=tj-grant-05-27-13-6-0-57-961.jpg" /></a>



                        <div style="clear: both; line-height: 1px;height: 1px;">&nbsp;</div>
                    </div>

                    <p>Canadian lightweight TJ&nbsp;Grant was in training for a title shot with then champion Benson Henderson, when he suffered a concussion while grappling. Now the title has changed hands, and when Grant returns, it may not be for the title after all.</p>

"TJ Grant's in one of those unfortunate situations where he had the title shot and he had to pull out twice," said White following UFC 166 as transcribed by MMAJunkie. "He's in limbo. He might come back and have to fight another fight. We've got to keep this thing rolling."

Gil Melendez had the fight of the night, year, and who knows how much more Saturday night, and is an obvious next contender for a shot at the lightweight title.

"It's a huge setback for T.J. Grant," White said of Melendez' performance.

                    <div style="clear: left; line-height: 1px;height: 1px;">&nbsp;</div>
2

I'm shocked.

/sarcasm Phone Post

3

Fine with me. Id rather see Gil vs pettis anyway. Match up tj vs bendo. Phone Post

4

I rather see Gil vs TJ if TJ is back in time. Seems the most fair thing to do! Phone Post 3.0

5

He better get his shot. Phone Post 3.0

6

Honestly I don't have a problem with this. Give Melendez the next shot, let Grant fight Bendo when he comes back.

Also set up Khabib/Anjos while we're at it.

7

Silly to reduce Gil's career to "one tough win". He's won 8 of his last 9 against some really tough opposition.

8

Terrible news. He earned the shot. Give him his due. Phone Post 3.0

9
fakezaga - Terrible news. He earned the shot. Give him his due. Phone Post 3.0

Yeah but is it better for him to have one fight as a warm up, then title fight or come back from a long layoff and jump.straight in to the title fight. Phone Post

10

Gil vs Tj or Tj vs Pettis!

Gil doesn't deserve the shot yet, even though I thought the fight against Diego was entertaining and I enjoy watching him fight every time! :/ Phone Post

11

As long as he gets a fight as soon as he is healthy. It could be good to have a fight before the title since he's been out so long. Phone Post

12

At the end of the day it's about putting asses in seats and Pettis V Melendez is simply a bigger fight than Pettis V Grant Phone Post 3.0

14
sssfRyan - At the end of the day it's about putting asses in seats and Pettis V Melendez is simply a bigger fight than Pettis V Grant Phone Post 3.0

This.

Pettis vs Grant won't even pop a rating on FOX or FS1.

Pettis vs Melendez is PPV.

Grant never gets a title shot unless he wins 1-2 in exciting fashion over top guys.

He loses? Never a shot.

He wins forgettably? Nope.

Gil sealed it with a win on Saturday and promoted well, it can be a big fight. Phone Post

15

Things could easily change before he comes back. One or two more fights could put him at the top of the heap again.

That being said, he has a little person to live for now. Above all else I hope he fully recovers before he thinks about his next fight. Phone Post 3.0

16

Fair enough. You can't sit on the sidelines and expect everything to be the same when you return. Phone Post 3.0

17

AdmiralCackbar - 
Tomato Can - Silly to reduce Gil's career to "one tough win". He's won 8 of his last 9 against some really tough opposition.

How is comparing their current streaks reducing Gil's career to one win? TJ is on a five fight win streak including a knockout of a top five opponent, while Gil had a tough time with an unranked Diego Sanchez. I'm a big Gil fan, but the guy should at least get another top-ten win before being awarded a title shot over Grant.

Why is "current streak" all that matters? Gil barely lost to the former champ Bendo. He is the #3 LW in the world by just about any objective measure.

18

TJ KO'd Gray Fucking Maynard. Who else should he fight? Only Melendez, Bendo or Pettis is warranted. Other than that, he's being royally fucked.

19

Keep the ball rolling???


What about Cruz? That division needs a champ that is able to fight. Vacate the title, have interim title fight, then cruz fights interim champ upon return. Phone Post

20

My point being: Give TJ his shot Phone Post