UFC star Davey Grant out to land Luna rocket and backs ex-‘teacher’ Ronda Rousey return

EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Auckland bantamweight Davey Grant just can’t get enough of life in the Octagon after getting his big UFC break on Team Ronda Rousey

Veteran UFC star Davey Grant is over the moon that he will once again get the chance to step into the Octagon, which is particularly fitting as he faces debutant Juan Adrian Luna Martinetti.

Bishop Auckland’s Grant will have experience on his side – this will be his 15th fight in the UFC – as he welcomes Ecuadorian Luna Martinetti to MMA’s biggest stage at the Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night, April 25.

The 40-year-old British bantamweight has more fights behind him than ahead of him and is determined to make the most of the cage time he has left. Grant, who is renowned for being involved in fan-friendly bouts, said: “This is what it’s all about. I just thank my lucky stars that I am still able to do it.

“Honestly, I just feel blessed constantly all the time. Every time I get to go and perform, every day I get to go and just train, do what I love for a living, it is great.

“I definitely savour every fight now. Before long, as time seems to go so quickly, I’ll be telling my grandkids, ‘I used to be rock hard and fight in the UFC, you know?’

“I have seen Juan fight and he’s an exciting fighter. He comes for it, so I’m expecting a good old scrap.

“It’s not that I even try to put on exciting fights. It’s just lucky for me that the way that I fight is pretty exciting. I’m going out there just to do the best I can. Luckily, it’s an exciting style that I bring.”

Davey’s big break in the UFC came when he was cast on reality show The Ultimate Fighter in 2013 when he came under the tutelage of Ronda Rousey.

The former UFC bantamweight champion is preparing to make a cage comeback after nearly 10 years on Jake Paul’s MVP promotions’ first MMA card on Netflix on May 16 in Los Angeles.

‘Rowdy’ will face fellow women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano and Grant has backed both to put on a show. ‘Dangerous’ added: “Good luck to her. Honestly, she’s a lovely woman and Gina’s been training at my gym [in Las Vegas] as well, so I know Gina. I like both of them and I think it’s great for them.

“They have both been out for a while, so it is a fair fight and it is good to see both getting back in there, making some money for their families and putting on a big show.

“A few of my friends have got on the show as well, getting paid really well. So it’s worked out well for a lot of people in the MMA community.”

UFC is celebrating four years of partnership with national youth charity OnSide, which aims to create a positive environment for young people through martial arts and mentoring-focused programmes at Youth Zones across the country. For more information visit www.onsideyouthzones.org/