10 Former MMA Stars Who Have Surprisingly Normal Jobs

The unfortunate nature of MMA, and most combat sports in general, dictates that fighters generally attempt to stay in the game too long and by the time they hang up their gloves they have already embarked on a lengthy losing streak and received more than their fair share of unnecessary damage.

However, what is much rarer, is a fighter to step away from the sport while riding a five-fight win streak and being on the cusp of a title shot. Though that is exactly what happened to TJ Grant.

In his last bout, Grant had comprehensively finished perennial contender Gray Maynard, earning a Knockout of the Night bonus in the process and securing a shot at UFC gold.

Unfortunately for Grant, he would be forced to retire from MMA due to suffering a concussion in training while scheduled to fight for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Grant's place in the fight with then-champion Benson Henderson would be taken by Anthony Pettis, who would go on to capture the title with a first-round submission.

After stepping away from the sport, Grant has gone on to work in civil construction, building potash mines in his native Canada.