TJ Grant, an MMA fighter from Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia, looks to be a rising star in the UFC.  Since his first fight at UFC 107 against Ryo Chonan, he’s been nothing but spectacular.  Saturday he will be making his return to Canada with a 2-1 record in the UFC, as he faces off against Johnny Hendricks at UFC 113.  I had a chance to interview TJ and here’s what he had to say:

First of all, I know you’ve probably been asked this many times but your first fight in the UFC was in Montreal, how do you feel fighting on Canadian soil again?

Oh it’s awesome to be back, being in front of the Canadian fans gives me goosebumps.  There are so many great fighters from Canada, and it’s been amazing to move up the ranks with them.

With your training did you do anything different, and what skills did you focus more on?

Like any other fight, I prepare hard, and train for specific opponents.

I heard you spent a few weeks in Thailand, how was that?

It was awesome, I do it every year, just to get out and train my Muay Thai.

Johnny Hendricks is a well-rounded wrestler, is there anything special you did to prepare yourself for him?

I’ve prepared my wrestling, working on escapes, but I just plan to take the fight to him.

You’re known as a submission guy, do you see this fight going to the ground?  If so, do you think your BJJ can counter his wrestling?

Like any MMA fight, go out there and see what happens.  I know what to do when it happens.

What do you think you bring to this fight that could possibly give Hendricks his first loss?

I’m here to win, I’ve trained hard for the fight, and I’m proving that on Saturday.

You fought on the same card with Hendricks at UFC 107, did you get a chance to catch his fight?

Yeah, I got a bit of it and then watched it again online to see how he fought.  It wasn’t the most exciting finish, but it was still impressive.

Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

I’d like to thank all the fans for the support, and hope to bring the win home.

Since TJ’s inception into the UFC he’s been nothing but impressive.  His first fight went the distance were he won in a split decision.  His second fight against Dong Hyun Kim didn’t play out the way he wanted but he did what he did. In his last fight he was able to pull off an impressive TKO victory over Kevin Burns, which won him Knockout of the night honors.

It seems TJ might be facing his toughest opponent against Hendricks, but he believes he has what it takes to be the one to give Hendricks his first loss in MMA.

Along with TJ, there are many prominent Canadian fighters making their way to the octagon this Saturday.

Jason MacDonald, who was released from the UFC last year, is making his return after going 3-1 in smaller organizations.  As well Tim Hague who went 1-2 in his UFC career is back in after a release was issued not just two months ago.

UFC Veterans Sam Stout and Patrick Cote are also set to fight on the main card against different opponents.  Cote’s last fight was against Anderson Silva well over a year ago.  So here’s hoping cage rust doesn’t set in.

Other then the three main fights, this is looking to be a UFC 58 in the making as these talented fighters from Canada are facing off against their American counterparts.  Here’s hoping Canada brings home the win, like the Olympic hockey team.