Davey Grant has fought at dwelling in the UK quite a few occasions, however nothing will high his upcoming bout at UFC London.
This time across the one time Final Fighter veteran, who really hails from a city about six hours north of London, may have some very particular relations in attendance when he clashes with Daniel Marcos on Saturday.
“It’s nice to lastly to have the ability to have my family and friends to have the ability to watch once more,” Grant instructed MMA Preventing. “My little boys are coming to look at me battle for the primary time, as effectively, which is fairly thrilling.”
When Grant says “little boys,” his sons are literally 11 and 14 years previous, respectively. However that is their first alternative to journey to one in every of his fights on dwelling soil. It’s been seven years since he final competed in entrance of a British crowd, which is why he was so anxious to get booked on one of many UFC playing cards in England.
Up till now, Grant has by no means been capable of make the timing work. However his want was lastly granted, and he couldn’t be happier with the chance in entrance of him.
“I’ve been desirous to get on one for a very long time now,” Grant mentioned. “As quickly as I noticed the world opened again up once more by means of COVID, and the UFC began placing occasions on all over the place else, the London playing cards have been completely electrical. I used to be down for many of them, so I’m so happy to get on this one.
“[My sons] know the way necessary that is. It’s kind of every little thing I’ve put my life to. They each battle and practice MMA themselves. It’s an excellent expertise to get them to come back down to look at whereas I’m nonetheless combating earlier than I’m simply watching them on a regular basis.”
Contemplating his viewers, Grant may face an entire totally different stage of stress to carry out than combating someplace like Las Vegas, his location for his earlier 5 UFC appearances. As a lot as which may have an effect on some athletes, he guarantees the entire consideration being paid to his return to England will solely encourage him that rather more.
“I imply it’s going to take an excellent man to beat me up in entrance of my sons,” Grant mentioned of Marcos, who’s 14-0 as an expert. “I’m not attempting to place any further stress on, that’s simply how it’s. It’s going to take an excellent man to beat me, it doesn’t matter what.”
Grant would possibly even get some recommendation from his children sitting cageside.
“I’ll be getting instructed all my rights and wrongs after I get out of the cage,” Grant mentioned with fun. “I ought to have did this! I ought to have finished that.”
Grant hopes to construct on his present two-fight profitable streak. He’d additionally earned bonuses in 5 of his previous six bouts.
At 37, Grant has much more time behind him than forward in his combating profession, which is why he needs to embrace the second and make reminiscences that may final a lifetime.
“I all the time attempt to be within the second in combating, and keep in mind that I can’t do that perpetually,” Grant mentioned. “I’ve to take pleasure in this whereas it lasts. Earlier than lengthy, I’m simply going to be an previous man telling my grandkids about how I used to stroll out into arenas crammed with individuals screaming my identify.
“I’m going to take pleasure in each single second of it, and simply attempt to get the job finished.”
