Brief Introduction of Davey Grant
Davey Grant, known by his moniker “Dangerous,” is a seasoned English professional mixed martial artist who has carved out a reputation for his tenacity, resilience, and all-action fighting style inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon. Competing in the bantamweight division, Grant is celebrated for his powerful striking, formidable grappling, and an unwavering will to win that has seen him overcome significant career setbacks, including multiple serious injuries. A finalist on the 18th season of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter, Grant has become a fan favorite due to his exciting performances, which have frequently earned him Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses. Beyond his fighting career, he is a respected coach and gym owner, contributing to the growth of mixed martial arts in his native North East England.
Davey Grant Overview
| Full Name | David Jeremy Grant |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 1985 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 40 |
| Birthplace | Darlington, County Durham, England |
| Profession | Mixed Martial Artist, MMA Coach |
| Husband/Wife | Sherrie Grant |
| Family | Wife (Sherrie Grant), two sons, one daughter |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be between $1 million and $1.3 million |
Early Life and Education of Davey Grant
David “Davey” Grant was born on December 18, 1985, in Darlington, County Durham, England, and was raised in the nearby town of Bishop Auckland. His early life was characterized by a keen interest in sports. Alongside playing football and rugby during his teenage years, Grant was drawn to combat sports from a young age. He began training in kickboxing at the age of 14 and had his first amateur fight just a year later at 15. Despite this early start, his training was intermittent as he balanced it with other athletic pursuits. The true turning point in his commitment to mixed martial arts came when he was 21. In a story he has often recounted, Grant found himself watching a fight with friends and mentioned his own training past. Met with disbelief, he decided to prove them wrong by taking a fight, which he won. The experience reignited his passion and set him on the path to a professional career. Before dedicating himself fully to fighting, Grant worked as a qualified scaffolder, a physically demanding job that laid a foundation of toughness and work ethic. He attended college for a year but did not complete a degree, choosing instead to focus on his burgeoning fight career.
Davey Grant’s Career
Davey Grant’s professional mixed martial arts journey began in 2008, primarily competing on the regional circuit in England. He quickly established himself as a formidable presence, amassing an impressive record of 9 wins and only 1 loss before gaining international recognition. During this period, he showcased a versatile skill set, securing victories through both submissions and knockouts. A significant achievement in his pre-UFC career was winning the SNA Bantamweight Championship at Shock n’ Awe 11 in July 2012, where he defeated James Pennington via guillotine choke in the first round. He also held bantamweight titles in two other British organizations simultaneously, cementing his status as one of the UK’s top prospects.
The Ultimate Fighter
In 2013, Grant’s talent earned him a spot on the eighteenth season of the UFC’s reality television series, The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate. Selected for Team Rousey, he made an immediate impact. Grant won his preliminary bout against Danny Martinez by submission and then submitted Louis Fisette in the elimination round to advance to the semi-finals. His journey took an unexpected turn when his scheduled semi-final opponent, Anthony Gutierrez, was disqualified for failing to make weight, granting Grant a direct path to the final. He faced Chris Holdsworth at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale on November 30, 2013. Despite a valiant effort, Grant lost the bout via a second-round rear-naked choke, finishing as the tournament runner-up.
UFC Journey and Injury Setbacks
Despite the loss in the finale, Grant’s impressive performances on the show secured him a UFC contract. However, his early UFC career was severely hampered by a string of debilitating injuries. A planned bout in London was cancelled at the last minute due to a torn meniscus. This was followed by a grueling 25-month hiatus caused by separate injuries to his knees, ankle, and back. Grant finally made his successful return on February 27, 2016, earning a unanimous decision victory over Marlon “Chito” Vera. His resilience was further tested in his next fight against Damian Stasiak at UFC 204, where he refused to tap to an armbar despite feeling his arm crack, ultimately losing the fight via submission. Another staph infection forced him out of a 2018 bout, continuing his frustrating run of inactivity.
Resurgence and Memorable Performances
From 2019 onwards, Grant embarked on a career resurgence, becoming one of the most exciting and reliable action-fighters in the bantamweight division. He secured a hard-fought split decision win over Grigory Popov in Moscow in November 2019. This victory marked the beginning of a successful run. In July 2020, at UFC 251 on “Fight Island,” he delivered a spectacular third-round knockout of Martin Day, earning his first “Performance of the Night” bonus. He followed this with another knockout victory and “Performance of the Night” bonus against Jonathan Martinez in March 2021, showcasing the significant evolution of his striking skills. His subsequent fights against Marlon Vera (a rematch) and Adrian Yañez, though losses, were thrilling contests that both earned “Fight of the Night” honors, solidifying his reputation as a must-see fighter. Grant continued to produce memorable moments, including a third-round knockout of Louis Smolka in May 2022 and a remarkable technical submission victory over veteran Raphael Assunção in March 2023, using an inverted triangle choke that was nominated for the UFC’s “Submission of the Year.” More recently, Grant has continued to face tough opposition, securing decision wins over Ramon Taveras and Da’Mon Blackshear, but also suffering a submission loss to Charles Jourdain in October 2025.
Davey Grant Personal Life & Family
Davey Grant is a dedicated family man, a role he often states is his most important. He is married to his wife, Sherrie Grant, and together they have three children: two sons and a daughter. Grant is known to be very close to his family, and the difficulty of being away from them during his time on The Ultimate Fighter was well-documented on the show. He has shared that his motivation for fighting is deeply rooted in providing a better life for his children. His sons also train in martial arts. Outside of fighting, Grant has channeled his passion and expertise into business as the head coach and owner of SBG Bishop Auckland, a gym that offers a range of martial arts training for all ages and skill levels. Through his gym, he plays a vital role in his local community, fostering the next generation of martial artists in the North East of England. In early 2024, Grant achieved a long-held personal goal by earning his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt after completing a grueling “Ironman” rolling session.
Awards and Achievements of Davey Grant
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- The Ultimate Fighter 18: Bantamweight Tournament Finalist
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Martin Day, Jonathan Martinez, and Raphael Assunção
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Marlon Vera and Adrian Yañez
- UFC Honors 2023: Fan’s Choice Submission of the Year Nominee vs. Raphael Assunção
- Violent Money TV
- 2023 VMTV UK MMA Submission of the Year
- Shock n’ Awe (SNA)
- SNA Bantamweight Champion (One time)
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Davey Grant Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Davey Grant’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $1.3 million. His primary sources of income are his fight purses from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and performance bonuses awarded for exciting fights. His earnings per fight have increased significantly throughout his UFC tenure, starting from a base pay and growing with his experience and performance level. The numerous “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” bonuses he has received, typically valued at $50,000 each, have substantially contributed to his overall earnings. Additional income streams for Grant include sponsorships and his role as the owner and head coach of the SBG Bishop Auckland gym, where he offers various martial arts programs.
Legacy and Influence
Davey Grant’s legacy in mixed martial arts, particularly within the UK, is defined by his incredible resilience, fan-friendly fighting style, and dedication to the sport. He is widely regarded as a fighter’s fighter, respected for his toughness and willingness to engage in exciting battles, regardless of the opponent. His career is a testament to perseverance, having overcome numerous serious, career-threatening injuries to return to the octagon and compete at the highest level, often in spectacular fashion. This ability to bounce back from adversity has endeared him to fans and fellow fighters alike. Grant’s influence extends to his local community in the North East of England, where he serves as a role model and mentor through his gym, SBG Bishop Auckland. By providing world-class training in his hometown, he is helping to cultivate new talent and grow the sport at a grassroots level, ensuring his impact is felt long after his own fighting career concludes. He will be remembered as a pioneer for fighters from his region and an athlete who consistently left everything he had inside the cage.
Interesting Facts about Davey Grant
- Before becoming a professional fighter, Davey Grant worked as a scaffolder.
- He decided to pursue MMA professionally at age 21 after taking a fight just to prove to his disbelieving friends that he had combat sports experience.
- During his regional career in the UK, he held bantamweight championship titles for three different promotions simultaneously.
- Grant earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in January 2024 after completing an “Ironman,” a grueling tradition where he had to grapple with every student in attendance at a seminar.
- Despite being known for his powerful striking in the UFC, the majority of his wins on the UK regional scene came via submission.
- His nickname “Dangerous” reportedly originated not from his fighting style, but from his behavior when drinking alcohol in his younger days.
Controversies
While Davey Grant has maintained a largely positive public image throughout his career, he has openly discussed an unconventional and controversial incident that occurred at his own wedding. In an interview, he recounted getting extremely intoxicated during the reception, which led to him running naked through the event before finding his wife. He described the incident as something that stemmed from his wilder, younger days. The story, shared with a degree of self-awareness and humor about his past behavior, has been noted by MMA media as a particularly unusual and uninhibited personal anecdote for a professional athlete to share publicly.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – (@daveygrantmma) – Follower count not publicly available.
- Twitter – (@daveygrantmma) – Follower count not publicly available.
- YouTube – Information not disclosed.
Final Words about Davey Grant
Davey Grant stands as a pillar of durability and excitement in the UFC’s bantamweight division. For over a decade, he has navigated the treacherous waters of the world’s premier MMA organization, building a career defined by thrilling fights and remarkable comebacks from injury. His journey from a scaffolder in County Durham to a globally recognized fan favorite is a story of determination and grit. As he enters the later stages of his career, Grant continues to test himself against the best, driven by a love for competition and a desire to provide for his family. His fighting style, a potent blend of powerful striking and an opportunistic submission game, ensures that fans are always on the edge of their seats. While his ultimate goal of UFC gold remains a challenging pursuit, his legacy as a warrior who always came to fight is already secure. Looking forward, Grant continues to balance his fighting career with his coaching responsibilities, shaping the future of MMA in his home country.