Kendall Grove: 'I'm going to break' Ricardo Almeida at UFC 101

by Jesse Holland on Aug 5, 2009 9:54 AM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"[When Almeida fought] Cote, I learned a lot. Keep my level low. He does get frustrated when he can't control you on the ground, when you shut down takedowns, he breaks as a fighter, but I'm a firm believer that he learned from that fight and he's going to come out a little different, he's going to come out more prepared. That's what I'm going on. But I'm also going on the fight that he can be broken, and I think I'm going to break him."

--The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 3 middleweight winner Kendall Grove (10-5) looks to notch his third straight win by defeating grappling wizard Ricardo Almeida at UFC 101 this Saturday from the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. "Da Sypder" is coming off a first round TKO over Jason Day at UFC 96 last March and will no doubt look to keep this one standing as well to avoid any of "Cachorrao's" deadly ground game. The Hawaiian has been up and down since his debut in 2006 but has a chance to establish himself in a crowded middleweight division -- does he have what it takes to pull it off?

Tweet Comment 56 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I think Kendall is the one near the breaking point. Almeida by Sub, 2nd RD.

by DJ on Aug 5, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

Letter to John G and Jizz dollar. You pointed your friend Nick to my direction, he paid for a ticket in the mania suite! You told him and I that we could both stay at your house and you’d show me the city (thank god I booked a hotel room months ago)! You said you’d pay for your ticket months ago and since you’re one of the oldest regulars on this site, I stressed but held onto your ticket. Now I read a post you got other seats. Believe me, I could care less, but now I know why any other mmamania trip to an event that you planned failed. What I don’t get is why would you screw your boy from philly that you go to college with? Just very strange to me!, is it really that hard to be a man and tell people your plans have changed? I wouldn’t have cared in the least, but I wouldn’t have been stressing over your ticket either!
Ruth’s Chris at 730, don’t give me a yes or know (I wouldn’t believe it), just show up if you want to go!

by kevin on Aug 5, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Kevin -

Whats the cost of a ticket/hotel with you for 101?
I’m toying with a few options as I’m on vacation as of 4pm today. The wife wouldn’t like it, but it wouldn’t be the first time I took off for a couple of days and she’s cool like that anyway.

lemme know.

by Big Zino on Aug 5, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Big Zino: Let me know if you want my ticket for $200? It’s in the suite box with the other Maniacs. It cost me $350, but I can’t go now. John was going to take it, but haven’t heard from him and after reading what Kevin just wrote, I doubt that I will, lol.

by BOW on Aug 5, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I read about this $200 ticket for the Mania suite a few days ago and I couldnt wait til go home and explain to my wife that now I simply HAVE to go and its meant to be. Her response was “I went to the doctors today, I’m pregnant!!!!!!!’” (and she wasn’t kidding, went to our first appointment yesterday)

Well, guess I got no extra money now to blow on a weekend in Philly now………

by ViolentMike on Aug 5, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Well congrats VM! Way to spring things on you, huh?

by Synyster on Aug 5, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

BOW- $200 is no prob, but I’m a long way from Philly.
I’m looking at Air fare give me an hour (11:40 est now) and I’ll be back on this thread and let you know if I can swing it.

VM – Congrats man. One of my best friends is 5 months in and despite the nerves he’s getting pretty excited.
Awesome stuff I wish you and Ms.VM all the best!

by Big Zino on Aug 5, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks a lot guys!!!! It will be our first.

Those two words describe it to the tee = excited and nervous

We actually found out she was 4 weeks pregnant about a week before I found out about BOWs ticket a few days ago, but the story provided a bit more drama if told the original way above.

Believe it or not, I am smart enough to know to not even bring it up to her now!

by ViolentMike on Aug 5, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Congrats Mike!!! That’s awesome!
You got it Big Zino, just let me know.

by BOW on Aug 5, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

BOW -

This might not work out… The flights to Philly from my airport are $938 w/ return this week. The monday after 101 they are $338.

Why the hell is that the case? It can’t be UFC can it?

I could do this for a grand all in but that’s my budget.
Any ideas on cheaper airfare? Toronto to Philly.
I’m dual citz so I don’t have a lot of hassle w/ border goons

by Big Zino on Aug 5, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Letter to Kendall Grove,

No you won’t sir. No you won’t.

Sincerely,

Reality

by Jerry Jackson is my hero on Aug 5, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Big Zino: Email me @ carpanthers07@yahoo.com

by BOW on Aug 5, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Just hit you BOW

by Big Zino on Aug 5, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

That was funny Jerry.

by Jeremyjackson on Aug 5, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Kevin, how much for the whole package?

by jay on Aug 5, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

The whole package???? As in you want to sleep in his room too?

In that case, it will all depend on what you choose from Kevin’s sexual menu. But since you said “the whole package” I guess you wanted the ……

Alright, that got out of control, I’m off to lunch.

by ViolentMike on Aug 5, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I smell like what your stepping in, I just thought it was hilarious…..

by Dragon on Aug 5, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

grove is a punk bitch! i hope he gets stomped.. hope almedia breaks his arm!

by Mikeybear on Aug 5, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

are u talking about the same almeida that couldn’t submit cotè?!

by shamo84 on Aug 5, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

only thing Breaking in this fight will be Kendall;s arm! lol

In actual good UFC news:

THe fans have spoken, and we have been heard!

The match up between tyson griffin vs. Her,es Franca has been promoted to the main card, while that BS, TUF-building match up between Efrain vs. Cole Miller has been demoted to the undercard where it belongs!

Sherk vs. Tibau has been moved to UFC 104!

by john G on Aug 5, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Good news John? I actually wanted to see Efrain vs Magrino.

by Synyster on Aug 5, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I wanna see both of these fights. This isn’t good news at all.

by jay on Aug 5, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been liking Kendall to pull off the upset for a while now. He has the length to punish Almeida standing and also keep the distance for Ricardo’s weak takedowns. He will need to trip Kendall. But Kendall is no slouch on the ground, granted, he is no Big Dawg, but he is also no McDojo Black Belt.

I haven’t put my final bets in yet, but I am going to be parlaying Kendall with at least one other fighter with close to even odds or an underdog.

by ViolentMike on Aug 5, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

I found Kendall at +130 at my lame betting site and jumped all on it. I don’t think Almeida will win any part of this fight. As you said, Kendall has the reach and length to keep his distance, but I think Almeida will be able to clinch with him. Kendall will then MAUL him in the clinch. Watch the Tanner fight to see Kendall fight off takedowns and still dish out some heavy punishment. Kendall by lopsided UD, or TKO.

by Synyster on Aug 5, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Kendall has let me down on more than one occasion so I find it hard to keep backing him. If he wins, good for him. But I don’t think he will.

by DJ on Aug 5, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Back when Amir won TUF, I had a sweet parlay of Amir/Kendall/McLovin. It paid out like 9 times money

Since the Amir/Kendall parlay worked once before, I just HAVE to run with it again.

by ViolentMike on Aug 5, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Grove is a little under-rated. I believe he will win this fight. His problems thus far have been vs strikers, which Almeida is not. Despite his lanky frame, Grove is reasonably strong, and I believe is correct in his prediction that he will wear Almeida down.

by CL on Aug 5, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed CL. I’m also banking on Grove keeping Almeida at bay and wearing him down. This is a tough fight to call but Almeida’s ability to get the fight to the mat has never impressed me.

by Jeremyjackson on Aug 5, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Grove isn’t good enough to avoid the takedown. Almeida via submission.

by Vanilla Gorilla on Aug 5, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

Alemida by first round submission.

by Dave O on Aug 5, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Break him with what? Hopefully da spyda is on his way out after this fight. Cant stand to see any more main card space taken up by him.

by tylerS on Aug 5, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

I say its a 50% chance that I.Dontgivashit wins. Both are too streaky in my opinion to cause any major waves in the division. I guess if I had to my vote leans on “da spider”(nickname sounds like he is the gangster version of andy, very deceiving). I just can hope its a flash ko so were all happy. :D

by Daniel worby on Aug 5, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Jesse c’mon dude, quit sticking me in moderation because someone stole my handle!!!

by Dragon on Aug 5, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Almedia, sadly by pooring UD. He is not gonna be able to pull any sub off because Kendall is just so freakin limber. This will be the worst fight on the main card. Ill prob end up grabbing a few beers right before this one.

by Muffin Stuffer (charr552) on Aug 5, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Grove couldnt break a kit-kat-bar. almeida will win in any way he pleases. FACT

by bradpittfightclub on Aug 5, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

What the hell has Alemadia done in the UFC that you are all so impressed with??? Subbed a can, lost to Cote, and decisioned another can. Kendall is inconsistant, but I just don’t see him losing this fight. He trains with BJ so obviously he knows how to defend submissions, if Almedia can even get him down. I know Kendall has never been submitted in the UFC, only TKO’s and that ain’t happening in this fight. If Kendall can use his reach properly he wins by TKO round 2.

by BNF on Aug 5, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

This fight will suck ass.

1. Grove will throw jabs and leg kicks
2. Almeida will take Grove down into full guard
3. Grove will put Almeida in a body triangle and control posture
4. The ref will stand them up
5. Rinse and repeat

Yawn. It’s gonna be a boring-ass decision. It depends on what’s gonna score more, Grove’s pitter-patter strikes, or Almeida’s weak takedowns that he’ll do nothing with lol.

by Pat on Aug 5, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

That picture reminded me… I have a couple of MMA related “theories” – bear in mind, these are works in progress. ;)

1. All other things being equal, the guy with more and bigger tattoos is going to lose.

2. The number and size of new tattoos a fighter gets after a loss is inversely proportional to how much real improvement they’ve made since then.

by MattNY on Aug 5, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

3. In general, ugly people are more successful in MMA (see: Big Nog, Randy Couture, Fedor, Wanderlei Silva, etc.).

by Drake_Labatt on Aug 5, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

What about Florian who is really, really ridiculously good-looking?

by PW on Aug 5, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Lol nice P dub although I would have chosen GSP, he is dreamy lol…….. :D Glad I’m not getting moderated anymore!!

by Dragon on Aug 5, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I did say “in general”.

There are exceptions… Rich Franklin is a successful “pretty boy”. Sean Salmon is an unsuccessful “ugly sob”.

by Drake_Labatt on Aug 5, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Holy crap are you kidding me?? It pains me to type this but………..I love GSP, he is dreamy lol……..just my opinion though..

by Dragon on Aug 5, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

It pains me to type this but………..I love corn……..just my opinion though..

by Dragon on Aug 5, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I ate red beans this morning………..just saying though..

by Dragon on Aug 5, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Who cares! I agree, worst fight on card. Just replace it w/the best fight from undercard and replay it over the Kendal fight ha ha.

by Daniel worby on Aug 5, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

I agree grove looked good against tomato cans but real comp. He looks like shit I luaghed my ass off whenn cote whooped him and I hate how he copy titos after fight cheer what a retard just put kendall up against a.silva for a fun 1st rd

by king criminales on Aug 5, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

I think Kendall’s S.O.L on this one. He doesn’t want to get on the ground with Almeida. Plus, if Cote couldn’t finish Almeida, what chance does “da spyder” have? LMAO

by Kimura88 on Aug 5, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Grove is not on the same skill level as Ricardo, that said Ricardo has looked fairly average in his last couple fights. We will see what happens, my opinion is Ricardo by sub!!!!

by the spyder on Aug 5, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

i hope the lighting above the cage falls and injures both fighters during this fight…god i hate them both…

i was hoping after that cote fight id never see almeida in the ufc again…why the hell would they go back after that guy…and grove? they just dont make the TUF winners like they used to

by HellaHectic on Aug 5, 2009 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

For some reason I really don’t like Grove…if I were to ever fight professionally and in the UFC, I would ask Joe Silva to match me up against this dude, he is annoying and should get kicked out after Almeida takes one of his legs home

by Mascarita on Aug 5, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you, Kendall Grove is a total putz. I honestly cant believe that he is still in the UFC. Everytime I see his name on an upcoming card it makes me kinda sick!!!!

by the spyder on Aug 5, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

All of you are HATERS!!!

KENDALL KENDALL KENDALL KENDALL!!!!

KENDALL IS SUPER UNDER RATED.

KENDALL TKO ROUND 1

by Pretty Boy on Aug 5, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

unless he gets hit first, then it’s “hey what happend”

by Big Zino on Aug 5, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Grove, good fighter – always nice to see him fight. but i think Almeida will take this one tbh. Cheering For Kendall ofc! but i have to be realistic sometimes.

by MMA040 on Aug 5, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions