T.J. Grant ruled out of planned UFC on FOX 9 title fight with Anthony Pettis

T.J. Grant‘s medical woes have yet to be resolved, and he will not face Anthony Pettis at UFC on FOX 9.

The Canadian lightweight today revealed he’s yet to be cleared after suffering a concussion in training and will not be eligible to challenge for the belt at the Dec. 14 event.

“Hey people,” Grant wrote on Twitter. “Quick update. Unfortunately I won’t be fighting Pettis on dec 14. I am still not yet 100% n can’t commit to fight. UFC is going with someone else instead. It sucks but it is the best for both myself and the UFC.

“Please don’t worry. Ill be back and if I gotta fight someone else to get back to where I wanna be then that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m not bitter. Thanks.”

Grant (21-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was expected to challenge then-champ Benson Henderson at August’s UFC 164, but a concussion suffered in training forced him to withdraw from the event, and Pettis capitalized on the opportunity. Still, Grant’s impressive five-fight win streak was enough to keep his position as No. 1 contender, and he was still expected to get a shot at the belt.

UFC officials has planned on the bout taking place at UFC on FOX 9, which takes place Dec. 14 at Sleep Train Arena (formerly ARCO Arena) in Sacramento, Calif.

UFC officials didn’t immediately reveal who they’ll tap for the title shot, but they may have to get creative with their matchmaking. Most of the company’s top 155-pounders are currently booked in key contests, save for Josh Thomson, who currently sits at No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA lightweight rankings.

Thomson (20-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC) was requesting a shot at Pettis even before he held the belt, and “The Punk” looked fantastic in an April destruction of Nate Diaz.

Otherwise, the UFC may need to pull apart upcoming fights such as Gilbert Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez, Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard or Pat Healy vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov to find a logical opponent.

For more on UFC on FOX 9, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: T.J. Grant)