SPRINGHILL – Members of the Springhill Martial Arts Club were in for a treat Saturday afternoon. Ultimate fighter T.J. Grant paid them a visit and worked on some wrestling moves with them.
Club owner Justin Bourgeois said they’ve had Grant visit them before and couldn’t wait to have him back.
“He has a wealth of experience,” said Bourgeois. “I’ve known him now going on eight years and he’s very talented and skilled.”
Bourgeois said he and the others at the club couldn’t pass up a chance to learn a few new moves from the fighter.
“We get to pick his brain some more,” he said. “He travels around the world too. He was in Thailand and Brazil so we can see if he’s picked up anything new. He’s very open to showing us new things and his perspective on the fighting.”
Evan Jardine was as the club in Springhill the first time Grant was in town. He said it was an invaluable experience.
“He did some very good chaining sequences with Jiu-Jitsu on the ground and put them all together at the end,” he said. “I’m really excited that he’s back.”
Jardine said he’s hoping to hear Grant reflect on his performances in the cage in UFC. He said he hasn’t spoken to him since he went on a three match winning spree.
“He’s definitely a local idol,” he said. “The fact that he came from our own backyard and he’s doing so well in the upper stages is very impressive.”
Grant spent some of the afternoon going over some different wrestling technics the club members could use. He said it’s neat to come home labeled a local idol.
“It feels good to be recognized for something you put all your heart and soul into,” he said. “To have people come up to you and tell you they’re a fan and that they’ve seen you fight definitely validates what you’re doing and makes you feel good about it. I look forward to continuing doing that.”
Grant said he hoped to pass on a few moved that the fighters at the club could use in their grappling games. He said if he’s done that, he’s done his job.
jturner@amherstdaily.com
