A drop in divisions has led to a rise up the rankings for Ultimate Fighting Championship’s TJ Grant.

For three years, the native of Cole Harbour, N.S., was on a treadmill in UFC’s welterweight division: working hard but not going anywhere. Win one, lose one. Repeat. And repeat again. Recognizing that he was stuck in the mid-card but not content to simply be another guy on the roster, he took a gamble that paid off.

Grant has found a home in the lightweight division, and rides a three-fight winning streak heading into his bout versus Matt Wiman (15-6) on Saturday at UFC on FOX 6, from the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

“It always feels good to get a win streak going. The fight game, I think, a lot of it is confidence and momentum,” said Grant (19-5).

“You look at a lot of guys, when they fight confident and they have that momentum on their side, it’s like another thing to have in your back pocket when you’re going at it. It definitely helps. I’m totally focused right now.”

The card features a main event between flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson against John Dodson, former light heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson against Glover Teixeira in what is shaping up to be Jackson’s last bout in UFC, and a lightweight showdown between title contenders Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis.

Grant feels like he’s where he should have been a long time ago. Though he was always competitive in the 170-pound division, he was never able to distinguish himself from the rest of the fighters. By the time he entered the cage for a welterweight bout, he’d be giving away at least 15 or 20 pounds to his bulked-up opponent, and also carrying more weight himself than he felt best at.

The decision to move down to 155 pounds has come with some sacrifices, he said with a wistful laugh.

“There’s days where you’re a little bit tired, you feel like you want to eat a cheeseburger but you just can’t do it,” he said.

“Who doesn’t love cheese? Sauces on my food. Breads. Pasta. Pizza.”

But the fact he’s now getting recognized in perhaps UFC’s deepest division makes the dietary restrictions worth it. He calls the switch the best decision he could have made.

“Now I don’t have to go into a fight worrying about how much bigger or stronger my opponent’s going to be. I feel confident in there against anyone at 155,” he added.

Grant’s match versus Wiman is expected to be one of the most entertaining on a card loaded with quality performers. Grant earned a knockout of the night bonus at UFC 107 and a fight of the night bonus for his UFC 152 win over Evan Dunham in September. Wiman, meanwhile, has won four fight-of-the-night honours, plus one submission of the night, in his 13 career UFC matches.

“He’s an aggressive guy. He likes to dictate the pace. So do I,” said Grant.

“It’s going to be a battle in there. I’m not to budge. I’m sure he’s not going to budge.”

Just as Grant, 28, has gotten on a role, the lightweight division has never been more competitive. Cerrone, Pettis, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard are all at a championship level. Each is chasing title holder Benson Henderson and No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez, the latter of whom is making his UFC debut in April after holding the Strikeforce lightweight title since 2009.

“I feel like I’m a top-10 guy. I feel confident against anyone I go into fight … At 155, it’s one thing to say it. It’s another thing to prove it. I’ve won three in a row, looking to make it four. I’m going to do my best to go out there and make it happen,” said Grant.

“I know what’s at stake here.”

ddeibert@thestarphoenix.com

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