TJ Grant had reached the zenith of MMA, then one injury turned his entire career around.
Grant is an undefeated lightweight mixed martial artist. After dropping down to 155 lbs, the Canadian had racked up five straight wins to earn himself a shot at then then champ Benson Henderson’s belt.
An injury forced him out of the bout, and he was replaced by Anthony Pettis who defeated Henderson and won the championship.
After suffering a concussion during training camp in the summer of 2013, Grant’s Octagon return was postponed and he was eventually taken off the UFC rankings for inactivity.
He revealed to Nova Scotia paper the Chronicle Herald that he has now taken a job at a potash farm in rural Canada in order to pay the bills.
“To be honest I haven’t really worked a regular job since maybe 2005, Basically, I’ve gotta make a living.”
“When you’re injured it’s one of those sports where you can live off what you made for a little bit but we don’t make that much money so you have to go on to other things. I’m just taking care of myself and my family as best I can right now.”
Despite his new occupation, the 31-year-old hasn’t ruled out a return to fighting.
“When you’ve been through what I’ve been through you have to really take your time and come up with a battle plan. I also know that, in fighting, there are no guarantees. I have a life to live, I have a mortgage to pay, I have bills.
“Do I stop working, live off my credit in order to fight when I could get injured? There’s a big risk-reward thing. I’m not ruling it out. I definitely love fighting.”
Time will tell whether the former lightweight contender will ever grace an Octagon again. Whatever he decides to do, we wish him all the best.
Hat-tip to the Chronicle Herald
