2018 proved to be a flawless year for Jett Grande.
After capturing the Havoc FC lightweight title at the tail end of 2017, Grande continued his winning streak by claiming the XFFC lightweight strap and, most notably, the under-21 welterweight gold medal at the IMMAF World Championships.
This remarkable stretch puts Grande into 2019 with a perfect 11-0 amateur MMA record—a number that brings him plenty of pride.
"At the end of the day, I don't base everything off it, but it's really nice to have a record like this," Grande shared during an interview.
"It shows you all the work you've put in, all the sacrifices you made, and the level you're at. There's not many people with an 11-0 record in the amateur scene, or even the pro scene, so it's great to have."
Of Grande's 11 victories, four came during November at the IMMAF World Championships in a blistering stretch of four bouts across five days, ultimately earning him the gold medal.
At just 20 years old, Grande described his path to gold as among the most demanding experiences of his life, on multiple fronts.
"It was amazing, but it was also very challenging. It was one of the most challenging things I've ever done, possibly the most challenging," Grande recalled.
"It's not just one fight. You have four fights, you're fighting back-to-back, and you have to make weight every day. It's not an easy task, but it's very rewarding and I'm glad I went. It definitely paid off in the end."
Stiff Competition
On top of winning four bouts in five days, Grande accomplished the feat against the finest amateur fighters on the planet.
He noted that the level of competition represented the hardest challenge he'd encountered throughout his career, making the triumph all the sweeter.
"There's definitely very good talent here, but over there it was an eye-opener because you really got the best of the best," Grande explained.
"The athletes are very respectful and extremely high-level. They're probably a higher level than some of the pros you have here."
By the time Grande stepped into the cage for his opening bout at the World Championships, he already boasted a 7-0 record alongside two championship belts. Yet that didn't silence his pre-fight jitters.
Grande admitted his nerves ran high early in his first matchup, though he gradually eased into his rhythm as the bout progressed and he pushed deeper into the tournament bracket.
"The first fight I was super nervous and didn't feel I fought to my full potential," Grande admitted.
"I got rid of a lot of nerves the further I went. Every fight I got less nervous and more comfortable."
Grande plans to stay in the amateur ranks throughout 2019, starting at the Canadian National Amateur Championships in April as he aims to earn a spot on Team Canada and pursue another shot at IMMAF World Championships gold in November. He's also scheduled to compete at the IMMAF Pan American Championships in May and the IMMAF European Championships in June.
Once the World Championships wrap up in November, Grande will transition to the professional ranks ahead of his 2020 campaign.
"Building my amateur resume is key to setting myself up when I turn pro," Grande explained. "The stronger my credentials, the bigger the momentum I'll carry into the professional ranks."
"I'm looking at the possibility of fighting between two and five times per card, so if I keep stacking up those amateur wins, I could easily walk away with a record in the twenty-plus range and still be undefeated."
From The Beginning
As Grande's lead coach, Gary Vig accompanied him throughout his remarkable 2018 season.
Vig noted that Grande excelled in multiple facets of his game throughout his gold medal run, yet one particular strength shone above the rest—his ability to respond under pressure.
"What I find most compelling is how he reveals his true character whenever things get tested," Vig remarked during an interview.
"The moment that sticks with me happened a minute and a half into the third round of the gold medal bout. After the second round he'd endured, many fighters would've crumbled. He wasn't securing takedowns, his opponent was beginning to land strikes, and starting to loosen up. But Jett came out firing in the third and forced the guy back on defense. Then he landed a massive takedown just 90 seconds into that round. That's exactly who Jett is."
Vig has been guiding Grande since he first walked into Arashi Do at age 14.
According to Vig, Grande has consistently been the most dedicated and driven athlete he's ever coached, which is why the accomplishments he's achieved at such a young age come as no surprise.
"Jett's a truly exceptional talent," Vig stated.
"Plenty of athletes can succeed if they rely solely on raw skill or purely on work ethic, but Jett possesses both in spades. He has tremendous physical gifts, puts in serious effort, and executes everything correctly."
Before traveling alongside Grande to the IMMAF World Amateur Championships, Vig considered amateur MMA a sensible pathway to accumulating fight experience before transitioning to the professional ranks—a trajectory that appears to be the norm for most Canadian MMA fighters.
Yet after witnessing what IMMAF provides and observing how their programs develop competitors, Vig now believes it should be the target for every Canadian amateur.
"Now that I've seen what this event offers, all I can think about is how many of my fighters would've benefited from experiencing this process firsthand," Vig shared.
"If Canadian athletes and coaches fail to embrace IMMAF and raise their game to match the level we're witnessing worldwide, Canadian MMA will become obsolete within ten years. It'll lose its relevance."
