“SUDDENLY I COULDN’T FIT MY TEETH TOGETHER
– THAT’S WHEN I KNEW IT WAS BAD”
With his jaw broken in two places, pure grit carried ‘Dangerous’ Davey Grant to victory at UFC 251. Now he’s eyeing a Top 15 opponent for his return.
After having his jaw broken in two places early in the fight, British bantamweight ‘Dangerous’ Davey Grant (12-4, 2 KOs 8 Sub) battled his way back to knock Martin Day (8-4) out at UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal this past weekend.
The gritty display and explosive finish earned Grant a $50,000 ‘Performance of the Night’ award from UFC president Dana White.
Now 2-0 in his last two and coming off a Performance of the Night, Grant has this week successfully undergone surgery and is already looking forward to his next outing in the UFC Octagon.
“I KNEW STRAIGHT AWAY MY JAW WAS BROKEN”:
“As soon as I felt that right hand land I knew it was a bad one. I’ve taken harder shots than that but this one did the most damage I’ve ever had. I knew straight away my jaw was broken because suddenly my teeth weren’t fitting together properly, they were all out of line.
“When I went back to my corner at the end of the first round I couldn’t even really take in what they were saying because I was more interested in pressing my teeth together and seeing if I could fix my jaw somehow!
“It’s definitely a setback, taking damage like that so early in a fight, but what can you do? Quitting is never an option. You just have to work through it. I went to Abu Dhabi looking to go to war and give the fans what they want. The broken jaw didn’t change my mind.”
ON SURGERY / JAW BEING BROKEN IN TWO PLACES:
“I came out of the fight with a jaw broken in two places and a fractured nose. One break was up at the top of the left side of the jaw, just below the ear and the other break was through the point of the jaw on the same side.
“The surgeons said all the breaks were nice and clean though and they were able to fit it all back together with just a plate and screws, I don’t need wires or anything. I’m just glad my teeth fit together again now.
“I have to say, the medical care was first rate. After the fight the UFC had me straight to hospital for X-Rays and and MRI. They would have paid for me to have surgery immediately but I wanted to fly back to the UK with my team so I had the surgery back home here instead.”
ON NEXT OPPONENT:
“I’d like to fight again this year but it all depends on how the healing goes.”
“It’s very British of me I know but I’m not one for trash talk or calling people out by name. What I will say is that I’m not ranked right now and I want to try and change that with my next fight.
“Give me someone ranked and let me get in the rankings and start climbing them, that’s what I want next. Ideally someone I can have another war with as well, if possible. Let’s collect another bonus award!”
ON ABU DHABI / ‘FIGHT ISLAND’ EXPERIENCE:
“The whole thing was one of the best but weirdest experiences of my life. Abu Dhabi is a major modern city, so it was kind of surreal to be there when it was like a ghost town because of the pandemic, but the whole experience was awesome.
“The UFC were taking no chances. They had us quarantined in London for days, then once we passed our tests they put us on a chartered flight to Abu Dhabi, where we got quarantined for two days again.
“We got tested like five times altogether. All the hotel staff were in full PPE and we all got issued with masks to wear once we were cleared to leave our rooms.
“Going home they flew us back first-class with Etihad, which is one of the world’s top airlines. That was an experience in itself, that first class cabin is amazing. It’s the only time in my life I’ve ever wanted a flight to take longer!”
Fight Game Asia 