UFC 80: Kendall Grove vs. Jorge Rivera

by MMAmania.com on Nov 2, 2007 11:20 PM EDT

ufc 80 kendall grove vs jorge rivera
Kendall Grove (8-4) and Jorge Rivera (14-6) will return to action at UFC 80 in Newcastle, England, at the The Metro Radio Arena on January 19, according to the X-Treme Couture MMA blog.

The report indicates that a formal announcement is expected in the coming days.

"Da Spyder" trains in the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts camp led by UFC Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 185-pound winner was most recently upset his last time out, getting stopped by Patrick Cote in round one via technical knockout at UFC 74: "Respect" in August. Prior to the loss Grove was riding a four-fight win streak.

Rivera competed on season four of TUF. He is an Octagon veteran with seven fights inside the eight-sided cage (4-4). Terry Martin finished him in just 14 seconds in his last appearance at UFC 67 back in February, breaking his nose and jaw in the process.

This bout joins the recently announced fight between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson for the interim UFC lightweight title. For the latest rumored UFC 80 fight card click here.

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Comments

Grove vs MacDonald makes more sense….

by ACanadianPotHead on Nov 2, 2007 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

Da Spida vs Spider. Not because Grove has earned a title shot, but because two guys with the same nickname fighting is just cool.

by leroy on Nov 2, 2007 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

It is scary to think about that Grove could one day step in the cage with Franklin. The way things are shaken down with the 185’s, Franklin will be the gate keeper of the top contenders. Tough role for an ex-champ.

by mac daddy on Nov 3, 2007 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

forgot about jorge rivera
alright fight, will be on main card but i see kendall taking him down

by bryant on Nov 3, 2007 12:25 AM EDT reply actions

I guess there will be TWO Hawaiians walking out as winners at UFC 80 :)

by pUniSHment on Nov 3, 2007 12:41 AM EDT reply actions

kendall wins that fight by TKO

by jjdnb on Nov 3, 2007 12:49 AM EDT reply actions

I never really say this… but who cares? The UFC is trying to promote Grove to be a popular fighter… put him against Rivera who isnt a ‘bad’ fighter but really hasnt done much in the Octagon. If it makes the main card, I’ll be REALLY surprised… Then again, prolly wont be many other intriguing fights on this card due to the hype with the co main event.

by Luppers on Nov 3, 2007 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

I hope Rivera takes this. He seemed like a stand-up guy on TUF 4.

by ABM!2! on Nov 3, 2007 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

zzzzzzzzz

by Jason on Nov 3, 2007 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

Luppers – Grove has to fight somebody, and after his last loss he certainly can’t fight somebody “above” Cote. And don’t be so sure this event won’t totally rock. Are you one of those crybabies constantly bawling about UFC 78 having no “big” names?

by MMACrossfire on Nov 3, 2007 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Da Spida vs Spider. Not because Grove has earned a title shot, but because two guys with the same nickname fighting is just cool.

Don’t worry. Three years or so from now when Grove is actually ready for a title shot, Silva will still have the belt.

by PW on Nov 3, 2007 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

i’d much rather see kendall fight mcdonald, i just don’t think the ufc likes the idea of kendall possibly losing two in a row, they probably like his chances against rivera a little bit better, and with good reason, i don’t really see kendall losing this fight unless he gets caught with a nasty head kick or something…kendall 1st or 2nd round submission…

by tha spida on Nov 3, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

I’d like to never see Kendall again. I hate him. I don’t even think he likes himself. I’m really glad nobody on Earth likes him either. HA

by GodDamnMike on Nov 3, 2007 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

I’d like to never see Kendall again. I hate him. I don’t even think he likes himself. I’m really glad nobody on Earth likes him either. HA

no1 likes u lol

by Michael on Nov 3, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

big deal.

by nathan on Nov 3, 2007 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

Then again, prolly wont be many other intriguing fights on this card due to the hype with the co main event.

Main Event:

BJ Penn (11-4-1) vs. Joe Stevenson (28-7) for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship

Undercard:

Hvywt.: Gabriel Gonzaga (8-2) vs. Fabricio Werdum (9-3-1)
170 lbs.: Marcus Davis (13-3) vs. Jess Liaudin (12-8)*
155 lbs.: Sam Stout (12-3-1) vs. Terry Etim (10-1)*
185 lbs.: Kendall Grove (8-4) vs. Jorge Rivera (14-6)*

What is the co-main event? That’s the rumored card so far, but I don’t see anything else that has “main event” status other than the LW title fight between BJ and Joe Stevenson.

by leroy on Nov 3, 2007 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

I never really say this… but who cares? The UFC is trying to promote Grove to be a popular fighter… put him against Rivera who isnt a ‘bad’ fighter but really hasnt done much in the Octagon. If it makes the main card, I’ll be REALLY surprised… Then again, prolly wont be many other intriguing fights on this card due to the hype with the co main event.

hey, i agree

by snoman on Nov 3, 2007 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

hey, i agree

what a bunch of lame ass wannabe’s let’s get down to the meat of the matter. Pick the best 8 no weight class, winner take all, just like the good old day’s, the stuff that made us look. I’ts turned into boxing with way too many contenders.

by snoman on Nov 3, 2007 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

I like kendall but I don’t think he is ready for Jorge. My prediction Rivera by knock out round one.

by Mike on Nov 4, 2007 12:17 AM EDT reply actions

What is the co-main event? That’s the rumored card so far, but I don’t see anything else that has “main event” status other than the LW title fight between BJ and Joe Stevenson.

Yeah, maybe he’s thinking of UFC 79.

by Pat on Nov 4, 2007 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

Main Event:

BJ Penn (11-4-1) vs. Joe Stevenson (28-7) for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship

Undercard:

Hvywt.: Gabriel Gonzaga (8-2) vs. Fabricio Werdum (9-3-1)
170 lbs.: Marcus Davis (13-3) vs. Jess Liaudin (12-8)*
155 lbs.: Sam Stout (12-3-1) vs. Terry Etim (10-1)*
185 lbs.: Kendall Grove (8-4) vs. Jorge Rivera (14-6)*

What is the co-main event? That’s the rumored card so far, but I don’t see anything else that has “main event” status other than the LW title fight between BJ and Joe Stevenson.

Looks good to me. Anyone know if this one will be free like the last overseas event?

by Sula on Nov 4, 2007 12:27 PM EST reply actions

Main Event:

BJ Penn (11-4-1) vs. Joe Stevenson (28-7) for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship

Undercard:

Hvywt.: Gabriel Gonzaga (8-2) vs. Fabricio Werdum (9-3-1)
170 lbs.: Marcus Davis (13-3) vs. Jess Liaudin (12-8)*
155 lbs.: Sam Stout (12-3-1) vs. Terry Etim (10-1)*
185 lbs.: Kendall Grove (8-4) vs. Jorge Rivera (14-6)*

What is the co-main event? That’s the rumored card so far, but I don’t see anything else that has “main event” status other than the LW title fight between BJ and Joe Stevenson.

I was wondering the same thing. BJ Penn is the ONLY big name on the card. You would really think that after the aquisiton of PRIDE that we would start getting good events with big name fights month to month. But obviously, that is not the case.

by ViolentMike on Nov 5, 2007 10:57 AM EST reply actions