The next lightweight contender had a chance to make himself known at UFC 160. T.J. Grant earned the spot with dismantling of Gray Maynard on Saturday night.
Grant absorbed a few early shots from Maynard, and then landed a right hand that shook Maynard. He had no time to recover, as Grant continued to swarm with punches and knees. Maynard went down, worked his way back to his feet and then was taken back down again. Finally, the bout was stopped at 2:07 in the first round.
Both Maynard and Grant knew going into the bout that the winner was expected to get the next UFC lightweight title shot. After such an impressive performance, he should get it, but he made sure to ask for it in his post-fight interview.
"I want to fight [UFC lightweight champ] Benson Henderson for the title. I wanna be the champ. I wanna beat the champ," Grant said.
He's on a five-fight win streak. Before Maynard, he took out Matt Wiman with a first-round TKO in January.
Henderson fully expects to fight Grant. He tweeted:
Wowser!!! TJ Grant it is...#UFC160
? Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) May 26, 2013
With the display Grant put on at UFC 160, Henderson isn't the only one looking forward to that fight.
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