Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida at UFC 101

by Scott Haber on May 4, 2009 10:34 PM EDT

The UFC has officially added a middleweight clash between TUF Season 3 champion Kendall Grove, and veteran grappler Ricardo Almeida to the card for UFC 101, scheduled for August 8th at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

A native Hawaiian and training partner of BJ Penn, Grove (10-5, 5-2 UFC) defeated Ed Herman to win the 3rd season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2006, but has found mixed success since then. "Da Spyder" won his next two fights after the TUF finale, but then suffered back-to-back knockout losses against Patrick Cote and Jorge Rivera. After refining his techniques and settling into family life with the birth of a daughter, Grove got back on the winning track with a dominant decision victory over the late Evan Tanner, and most recently, a first-round TKO of Jason Day back at UFC 96 in March.

Almeida (10-3, 3-3 UFC) is a Renzo Gracie black belt and grappling legend, who made his return to active MMA competition in early 2008 after a four-year absence. A veteran of the early days of Zuffa-UFC, Almeida is one of only two people who have submitted top middleweight contender Nate Marquardt (in a Pancrase fight in 2003). The "Big Dog" now runs his own jiu-jitsu academy in New Jersey, and will thus enjoy a significant hometown advantage in Philly. After a recent decision victory over Matt Horwich at UFN 18, Almeida hinted at a possible drop to welterweight, but it appears he will stay at 185 for now.

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Kendall is about to get worked.

I poop rainbows.

by Charles Awad on May 4, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

Sweet

Almeida’s boxing and cardio looked much improved in the Horwich fight so I’m excited to see more from him.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on May 4, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

At least Kendall won’t have to worry about getting his chin tested, if nothing else.

by Zack Gobie on May 4, 2009 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

This actually sucks. I’m all for Kendall tapping, but it’s too bad Almeida hasn’t been able to (or wasn’t allowed to) drop to 170 like he said he wanted to after the Horwich fight. He’ll be a beast at 170.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Tim Burke on May 4, 2009 11:58 PM EDT reply actions

I hope Almeida doesn’t fall onto the undercard again… I can’t figure out whether I want him to show off some more of his improved standup, or some of his ridiculously tight (and I dont mean that in a hiphop way) no-gi skills. Some of the guys from my gym go down to jersey to train with him and Rob Scheier and from what I hear and see, the guy has the skills to kill even at middleweight and should NEVER be on an undercard again

by beersnbroads on May 5, 2009 1:16 AM EDT reply actions

If you click on the link

you’ll see that the Almeida-Grove fight is scheduled for the televised main card.

by Scott Haber on May 5, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Almeida is a traitor to America

I am not a fan of Kendall Grove but I guess I have to root for him here since he never stabbed Jack Bauer in the back.

by flassasin24 on May 5, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on May 5, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Grove is in for a very tough task.

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by Leland Roling on May 5, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

The way Kendall acts when he wins, the totatly original Tito digging a grave thing, I REALLY want to see him taping.

by MMAcGyver on May 5, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

I support this post.

Yeah, who got the final Death Blow? 'Cause I thought that Hawaiian guy had it comin' to him. - C. K.

by monkeyfightclub! on May 5, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Kendall is in some trouble…. Almeida’s BJJ is pretty damn slick… he not only made Nate Marquardt tap but he’s also made Josh Barnett tap in ADCC. This guy gets his stand up together, he could be a real force.

by Gunslinger20 on May 5, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions