Welterweights Grant, Markham to clash at T.U.F. 9 finale

A welterweight contest between T.J. Grant and Rory Markham will take place at the season nine finale of The Ultimate Fighter on June 20 in Las Vegas, MMAWeekly.com has learned from sources close to the fight.

Grant was rumored to be fighting Martin Kampmann on the Spike TV telecast, but Kampmann reportedly turned down the bout.

The fight replaces a showdown between Matt Brown and Anthony Johnson that was canceled when Johnson injured his knee in training. Brown subsequently bowed out of the event due to nagging injuries sustained in camp.

Markham, 27, last appeared at UFC 95, where he lost by knockout to Englishman Dan Hardy. It was later discovered that Markham's weight cut caused a partial collapse of one of his lungs. He was on the other side of a knockout for his UFC debut prior to England, stopping Brodie Farber by head kick in the first round. A former International Fight League standout, he is 16-5 as a professional.

Grant, 25, made his Octagon debut last month at UFC 97, where he dispatched veteran Ryo Chonan by split decision. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native is on a five-fight win streak and is 14-2 in his professional career.