On this day in 2013, a new top candidate emerged at the top of the lightweight division.
UFC 160 saw the promotion return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for a large map on 25 May.
Before Cain Velasquez proved that he was the best heavyweight on the planet in the main event, there were various statement performances in the 155-pound division.
Khabib Nurmagomedov broke a UFC record while he continued to climb the lightweight ladder that Benson Henderson had recently reached the top of.
Only a month of the new champion that was crowned, said Dana White for UFC 160 that one matchup on the map would determine who would be Henderson's first challenger.
TJ Grant walked through Gray Maynard in an eliminator, but never fought again because of concussion
After he had lost weight after a loss at UFC 124, TJ Grant brought together the best line of his career as a lightweight and defeated Matt Wiman and Evan Dunham to appear as a legitimate competition.
On UFC 160 he faced former title -seconder Gray Maynard, who was sent back from his knockout loss to Frankie Edgar by beating Clay Guida in five rounds.
Joe Rogan had labeled Grant as a 'dark horse', but after he had omitted Maynard in just over two minutes after landing some huge right hands, this was no longer the business.
In an interview after the fight with Ariel Helwani for MMA fights, he spoke about challenging Benson Henderson for the lightweight title with his new confidence.
“You know, I believe I can beat someone in the world. Benson Henderson, I don't talk Smack, Man. I am not here and make daring statements about what I can do, but as I said, if I go outside and fight against my fight, I can beat every man in the world.”
Grant would then stand to Henderson on UFC 164, but in the end he withdrew from the fight because of an injury, which was later unveiled as a concussion.
Anthony Pettis became the new lightweight champion, but when a matchup was booked between Grant and the new title holder by the end of 2013, the Canadian also pulled himself out of this.
The concussion of the 29-year-old, whom he suffered in preparation for UFC 164, led to lasting symptoms that stopped him to return to the Octagon.
Grant was removed from the UFC ranking in April 2014 due to inactivity and he never fought again.
Photo by Donald Miralle/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
TJ Grant thought about his career and brain issues in an interview in 2020
TJ Grant thought about his career in an interview with Chuck Mindshall for the athletics where he spoke detailed about his bright shaking symptoms.
The former UFC light weight believes that his career was terminated by a highlight of success, with his decision not to fight again by his daughter who was born in the same year that he would fight for the title.
“Some of me wanted to come back, and I mean, who would not want to come back and do that, right? I enjoy it. I like to train,” he told athletics. “But you almost have to be – well, you have to be selfish. You have to put yourself in the first place. That doesn't say I would put my children aside, but you have to be all in it, and I just wasn't in that position in my life.”
Grant has since overcome his brain issues and he is still involved in sport through his gym, Grant's Martial Arts Academy.
“I mean, I wonder what would have happened,” said Grant. “I wonder, but what can I do? Maybe I am also my own worst enemy. Maybe I could have changed or changed things, but I am where I am now, so I just have to go with it.
“Life is good. I have a beautiful young family, and that's where I am. I coach, be a father and be a husband, and that's what life is. It's pretty good.”