Davey Grant is fighting in Las Vegas this Saturday for the first time since 2013.
At UFC Vegas 21, Grant (12-4) takes on Jonathan Martinez in a promising bantamweight bout. It will be the first action the 35-year old Grant has seen in Vegas since he appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 18. That was the season featuring Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate as coaches — with both fighters having long since retired.
“I love it over here. Literally, I love it in Vegas. I want to move out to America, I love all of America to be honest,” Grant told Cageside Press during this week’s UFC Vegas 21 virtual media day. “It’s nice to get back over here, definitely.”
For Grant, the time away hasn’t just been from Las Vegas. He has fought in fits and starts for years, competing inside the octagon just six times in total since 2013. Fight number seven comes Saturday.
“It’s not easy. Obviously we all want to be able to fight as frequently as possible. It’s hard, but I’ve just got to remember, I chose this career, and I wasn’t prepared to stop at any hurdles,” Grant explained when asked what kept him motivated through his various injury struggles. “I was always going to bypass them and come out the other end — to just continue doing what I love for a living. That’s the main thing.”
Now that he’s back, Grant is hoping to “just go and put on a great performance for the fans. I still feel like the best is yet to come. I’m feel like I’m still developing, I’m still getting better in all areas, and I can’t wait to show that on fight night.”
Martinez appears to be a great opponent with that in mind. “He’s a great fighter, coming for an exciting fight,” said Grant. “That’s exactly what I want, so I think it makes for a great match-up.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 21 virtual media day scrum with Davey Grant above. The event takes place this Saturday, March 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
