Rory Markham vs TJ Grant planned for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 finale on June 20

by Stefan Manojlovic on May 25, 2009 10:56 AM EDT

Hard hitting slugger Rory Markham (16-5) is set to do battle with UFC sophomore TJ Grant (14-2) in a welterweight match up at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 Finale at "The Pearl" at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 20.

MMAmania was informed of the bout by Grant's camp earlier today.

Grant originally agreed to battle top welterweight contender Martin Kampmann, however "The Hitman" refused to sign the bout agreement, stating that a match with the up-and-coming Grant "didn't make sense" for him.

Now former International Fighting League (IFL) standout Rory Markham has stepped up to the plate to tangle with the Canadian grappler in what should promise to be an exciting showdown.

Markham is coming off a devastating knockout loss to British export Dan Hardy which took place this past February at UFC 95. It was a fight that saw him a tad overeager to brawl it out which he would pay dearly for. He now looks to get back on track against one of Canada's top prospects.

Grant made his UFC debut with a split decision victory over PRIDE veteran Ryo Chonan on April 18 at UFC 97 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Fit Plus standout has won 14 of his 16 professional fights - with a staggering 12 of those 14 by submission.

In addition to winning matches, he’s been winning over audiences in Canada for quite some time and holds convincing victories over UFC veterans like Forrest Petz.

TUF 9 Finale features a lightweight match between Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida, as well as a co main event that pits and Joe Stevenson against Nate Diaz in another fantastic 155-pound showdown.

Naturally, the Spike TV special will also host the lightweight and welterweight finales for the ninth season of TUF, which is currently in progress. Coach Dan Henderson is leading a U.S. team against coach Michael Bisping and his British squad.

For more on TUF 9 Finale click here.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Read More: rory markham, tj grant, tuf 9 finale

Comments

Now this makes sense! This is the kind of match up that should be available for Tj Grant….not that waste of time that would have been Kampman vs. Grant!

by john on May 25, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

Dude Watch what Kampmann said about that fight with TJ!I took that on a thread somewere…

martin kapmann post about larson

Kampmann… I thought he did a great job too. After the fight I told Joe Silva I was still very interested in fighting Brock since I had to watch from the seats this time. That was frustrating. Joe was very open to the idea.

Pyle is good but being told at 9:15am Friday morning that you’re gonna fight is kind of difficult. I figured if they were gonna replace me they would get someone with a little less weight to cut. The commission should’ve just let me fight… It was safer than letting Pyle fight after he passed out in the bathroom trying to make weight and still didn’t make it. Then he goes out and has that kind of fight… I don’t know…

In any case, congrats to Brock. By all accounts he worked hard in camp and has a nice bonus to show for it to buy diapers for his new baby. Congrats again…

Somebody’s question…. Since you were talking to Joe Silva, any chance of mentioning to him you’d take on Grant in the TUF finale, and can we look forward to that taking place?

Kampmann… Be honest, are you TJ Grant or are you just lobbying hard for your boy? I told you on the other thread, I will not run from a match against TJ, period. That doesn’t mean I should ask to fight him because it isn’t going to do much for me. I will get a lot more out of fighting Brock than TJ whereas TJ can gain from fighting pretty much anyone. So like I said, if Joe offers me the fight, I will accept it because it’s how I operate. Kampmann makes his own decisions and is in a position to steer his career since he is winning. I hope this clears up the issue with your buddy TJ. For real man, I feel like you are stalking me. Enough about TJ already. Unless Joe offers me the fight, he’s not even on my radar yet.

So, back on topic, congrats Brock.

by Alpha Male 360 on May 25, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

IMO TJ would sub Larson

by McArthur on May 25, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Alpha! I keep missing your comments on the Hughes thread. They don’t show up when I’m responding to RoB. I’ll send you an invite. I know how the private match invite thing works, so when I see you on I’ll talk you through it.

I met Silva_Rampage from mmamania online as well.

by Synyster on May 25, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll be playing this weekend…you guys Xbox or PS3?

by McArthur on May 25, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

PS3 Mac. Synyster_08

And Larson is a tough dude. Kinda big too. I dont know how if TJ would be able to submit him.

by Synyster on May 25, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Rory will knock him out.

by Synyster on May 25, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

X-box here bro

by McArthur on May 25, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Syn!But i will take a break till tonight.I have problems to feel my thumbs right now.I played all morning…i’m 12-3 in my carrer(12 KO).i’m on a 10 win streaks.I’m starting to get better than last night.My last 3 fights was against Coleman,herring and Vera next is Kongo!
I need to learn a little bit more of ground control though!
but i think to be online around 10 pm ET
If i sign up at the start of the game.Can you know if i’m onlineeven if i’m not online in the option

by Alpha Male 360 on May 25, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. I sent you a friend request. Just accept that and you’ll be able to tell when Im on/offline and vice versa.

My career is almost over. I haven’t done it in a while though. I was 26-7 I think, beat GSP for the title. Defended it 5 or 6 times. Lost it to GSP (after I beat him twice before) and just knocked out Kos to get a title shot. GSP just got KO’d by Ben Saunders, so its me vs Ben for the belt. Crazy world.

I hate playing online, because I dont know how many times I’ll be about to tap someone or TKO, and they will disconnect or something and the match will be invalid. I hate that.

by Synyster on May 25, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

ya thats a bit more like it…see the fights yet??? Try Fightlinker.com….don’t bother with the Sonnen fight though

by McArthur on May 25, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t bother with the Hughes fight either.

by scissorfight on May 25, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

now this is a good one, sucks it will most likely be on the undercard though.

by pinky on May 25, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

why do people think kampman is so good he didn’t beat condit thats for sure hes average to say the best, a real fighter would take any fight and if he’s so good why not fight grant and put him to sleep in spectacular fashion, because he probably can’t, TJ is an up and coming fighter who has alot of potential

by kingkong on May 25, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

I think your underrating Kamp…I’m in agreement about Carlos winning the first 2 rnds of that fight but Kamp is the real deal and is only a couple good wins away from a shot at the title

by McArthur on May 25, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions