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The buzz in Toronto last weekend surrounded UFC 165 on Saturday night, but earlier in the day the promotion opened up their hearts for the "Rally for Kids with Cancer" charity event downtown in the city. Participating in this event on behalf of the UFC was none other than Canadian lightweight T.J. Grant (21-5). I had a chance to catch up with the Cole Harbour native to discuss a variety of topics including his health, the UFC lightweight division and TUF Nations: Canada vs. Australia. "(The UFC) does a great job of helping us give back and setup charitable functions every time theyre in new Canadian cities – for me to be able to come here and do this, its pretty awesome." Grant told TSN.ca "Im happy to have the opportunity to come here and to have UFC choose me -- Cancer has touched me, its touched everybody, its an awesome cause and Im just fortunate to do (Rally For Kids With Cancer)." While Grant was in good spirits, last week he broke the unfortunate news that hes still not ready to compete inside the octagon. Back in July, the 29-year old suffered a concussion while practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu in training and is still feeling the effects. "Its getting better I mean every day Im making progress -- I really feel like Im going to be back very soon." Grant earned a lightweight title shot back in May, as he made short work of former title challenger Gray Maynard at UFC 160. The concussion kept him out of action for that championship match at UFC 164 and now will be absent versus newly crowned champion Anthony Pettis at UFC on FOX 9. "Its just hard to commit, I know the (title fight) was three months away but theres still that unknown. I didnt want to make a bad decision for the long term so it doesnt hurt to wait it out." One of the topics of discussion has been if Grant will lose his title shot due to being inactive. "I dont feel like I have to reprove myself. You can never predict whats going to happen with the title. Who really knows? Im just taking it one step at a time and getting healthy." Being from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, we had to discuss if he knew Sidney Crosby, who ironically also suffered a concussion that kept him out of most of the 2011 NHL season. "Hes younger than me; I have some friends that were friends with him. I never really met him or anything. Hes a great guy from what I hear, Im happy for his success." "I know the dangers of repeated concussions. I just want to heal man, thats all Im trying to do." Replacing Grant in that title fight against Anthony Pettis in December is Josh Thomson, who most recently became the first man to finish TUF 5 champion Nate Diaz inside the octagon at UFC on FOX 7. "I think that hes probably the guy I would have picked just because of where hes ranked in the division -- Hes a great fighter, I think that those two guys are going to have a good scrap." The UFCs decision to pick Thomson in that title fight has sparked much debate, but Grant believes fighters who finish their opponents dictate title shots. "If youre fighting boring fights and youre barely winning, holding guys against the fence, (UFC) is going to do everything in their power to not give them a title shot. Unless you beat absolutely everyone." "I (finish fights) because for me, thats the only way to do it. Youve got to go in there and impose your will, the best defence is a good offence and thats just the way I am." In addition this weekend, the tryouts for TUF Nations: Canada vs. Australia took place at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in downtown Toronto. Grant sees this as a great platform to showcase many up and coming Canadian fighters. "There are so many talented fighters from Canada; theyre going to have an opportunity to really jump start their career with The Ultimate Fighter." "It kind of opens the door; you get thrust on such a big spotlight. Im happy that its happening its great that they are having a Canadian team and Canada will be represented well. They have a lot of talent." Support TJ by following him on Twitter (@TJ_Grant) . Both had to wait out a rain interruption lasting nearly five hours before taking comprehensive third-round victories to join Carling Bassett-Seguso (1983, 1986), Patricia Hy-Boulais (1996-97) and Daniel Nestor (1999) as Canadians who made it into the second week of a major. . Ferrer, the two-time defending champion in Buenos Aires, is aiming to win his 21st ATP tournament. Ferrer will next face fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, the fourth seed, who defeated Jeremy Chardy of France 7-6 (7), 6-3 in another quarterfinal match. http://www.bengalsauthenticproshop.com/. Dumont, a fifth round draft pick of the Canadiens in 2009, has four assists and 20 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Bulldogs this season. The 23-year-old split last season between Hamilton and Montreal, recording 16 goals and 15 assists in 55 regular season games with the Bulldogs. .com) - John Wall had 15 points, 12 assists and four steals as the Washington Wizards defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 92-85 on Monday night. . Replay backed him up. Adeiny Hechavarria immediately followed the ruling with a go-ahead sacrifice fly for the Miami Marlins, who held on to beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Sunday completing a three-game sweep.One has 10 major honours to his name, celebrated his 100th cap for his country with a vital goal against world champions Germany in October and has started a Champions League final. The other captained a title winning team last season, was the Netherlands player of the year in the same campaign and is behind only Michael Owen and Alan Shearer on a list of Newcastles record signings.But it seems certain that they wont both be in the Premier League next season, at least not with their current clubs. The two North East giants are on a precipice. Both in the relegation zone after Norwichs win at West Brom; the Canaries remain in the mix themselves, Aston Villa are stranded and the rest look a long way off.In short, at least one of them will go down. This weekends Tyne-Wear derby could well decide which and, as a result, may be the most important of the 156 the two have contested in more than a century of rivalry.John OShea, of course, is the man who won 10 trophies - including five Premier Leagues with Manchester United - has started more than 100 times for the Republic of Ireland and began the 2009 Rome final against Barcelona.He may be fighting for his place in the Sunderland team at the moment, but its hard to see Sam Allardyce leaving him out this weekend. OShea is a proven winner, the stalwart of three Sunderland escapes and, most importantly, he has the most unbelievable stranglehold over Newcastle. Shay Given tells us what its like to prepare for and play in a Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland They have never beaten the Irishman. Ever. In total his record against them reads: played 20, won 15, drawn 5, lost 0. The only problem for me, as I arrived at Sunderlands Academy of Light training ground this week, was he didnt want to talk about it.He wasnt being difficult, it was more a modest, focused, professional way of not wanting to say something to motivate the enemy in derby week - but it didnt help the reporter!Id rather not even mention it, he explained, smiling. Why would I when I can go under the radar? Thats how I prefer it.I pressed him a little bit about the times, early in his career, when he was part of Manchester United teams that were so good they didnt just beat Newcastle, often they thrashed them.He was part of 5-3, 5-1, 6-0 and 6-2 wins in those early days. Its the 6-2, in a game famous for a magnificent Paul Scholes hat-trick, that gets him talking. Youve no divine right [to beat Newcastle]. You cant go thinking, Its Newcastle, well win because we won the last six. The attitude and commitment have got to be right. John OShea That was OSheas first visit to St James Park. He made a goal that day with a rampaging run down the left, going past two before smashing a shot against the bar that fell nicely for Ryan Giggs to score.Shay Given [in goal for Newcastle] always tells me he got a hand on the shot but Im not so sure, he says, again with a smile and with his guard dropping slightly. But look, its obviously a very, very proud record, especially for a Sunderland player. Fingers crossed I can keep hold of it.Beating Newcastle with Manchester United is one thing, doing it a record six times in a row with Sunderland is, in many ways, far more remarkable. The crucial question is, will the record effect the two sets of players this weekend? Will it count for anything?In a sense it will, but youve no divine right. You cant go thinking, Its Newcastle, well win because we won the last six. The attitude and commitment have got to be right, the Irishman added. An in-depth look at how Rafael Benitez is training his Newcastle side for their must-win Tyne-Wear derby this weekend This brings us on to Newcastle.dddddddddddd A couple of days after talking to OShea, I sat down with Georginio Wijnaldum - PSV Eindhovens title winning captain, player of the year and Newcastles third biggest signing behind Owen and Shearer.He was searingly honest about what he sees as the reasons for the teams poor form, and the need for Rafael Benitez to be parachuted in to save them after Steve McClarens sacking.I feel bad and I feel responsible, says Wijnaldum, addressing McClarens departure. In football, its not always fair. They fire the trainer because they cant fire us players.Undoubtedly a squad targeting a top eight finish, after Mike Ashley loosened the purse strings in the summer, has under-performed.Maybe its focus, maybe its mental, maybe its confidence - its difficult to explain. Sometimes we need to be harder on each other, when times are hard you have to speak more - especially the senior players. Jamie Redknapp previews two derbies on Super Sunday as Newcastle host Sunderland and Manchester City face United. I feel bad and I feel responsible. In football, its not always fair. They fire the trainer because they cant fire us players. Georginio Wijnaldum on McClaren sacking You work out who you can yell at and who you have to be easy with. We can do it more.Wijnaldum clearly liked working for McClaren but says it has lifted the squad to have a name like Rafael Benitez take charge. But the focus is on stopping Sunderland from extending their record run, easing their own relegation fears in the process.Everywhere I go, fans talk to me about Sunderland, says Wijnaldum.Theyve won the last six, for the fans and for us, we have to stop it.The Dutchman, who has scored nine goals, all of them at St James Park, in his first Premier League season, is relishing the prospect of his first Tyne-Wear derby on home turf. Hes looking forward to having the crowd on his side. John OShea is looking forward to having it against him. Sunderland have won their last six Tyne-Wear derbies, can they make it six on Super Sunday? This is what you become a professional for, the Black Cats captain said. To have the animosity and anger cranked up to 100% against you and to have to fight against that.Its a huge game. Ultimately its three points but with the situation were both in it looks like being a lot more than that. I cant wait.Catch the full interview with Georginio Wijnaldum and John OShea , ahead of live coverage of the Tyne-Wear derby, on Super Sunday, 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD. Also See: Rafa: Forget derby defeats Tyne-Wear derby preview ' ' '