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.
25 Comments »
Grove vs MacDonald makes more sense….
Da Spida vs Spider. Not because Grove has earned a title shot, but because two guys with the same nickname fighting is just cool.
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.
forgot about jorge rivera
alright fight, will be on main card but i see kendall taking him down
I guess there will be TWO Hawaiians walking out as winners at UFC 80
kendall wins that fight by TKO
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.
I hope Rivera takes this. He seemed like a stand-up guy on TUF 4.
zzzzzzzzz
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?
[quote comment=”203407″]Da Spida vs Spider. Not because Grove has earned a title shot, but because two guys with the same nickname fighting is just cool.[/quote]
Don’t worry. Three years or so from now when Grove is actually ready for a title shot, Silva will still have the belt.
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…
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
[quote comment=”203679″]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[/quote]
no1 likes u lol
big deal.
[quote comment=”203558″] Then again, prolly wont be many other intriguing fights on this card due to the hype with the co main event.[/quote]
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.
[quote comment=”203558″]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.[/quote]
hey, i agree
[quote comment=”203792″][quote comment=”203558″]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.[/quote]
hey, i agree[/quote]
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.
I like kendall but I don’t think he is ready for Jorge. My prediction Rivera by knock out round one.
[quote post=”3769″]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.[/quote]
Yeah, maybe he’s thinking of UFC 79.
[quote comment=”203760″][quote comment=”203558″] Then again, prolly wont be many other intriguing fights on this card due to the hype with the co main event.[/quote]
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.[/quote]
Looks good to me. Anyone know if this one will be free like the last overseas event?
[quote post=”3769″]Rivera competed on season four of TUF. He is an Octagon veteran with seven fights inside the eight-sided cage (4-4).[/quote]
Ooops. 7 fights with a record of 4-4?
[quote comment=”203414″]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.[/quote]
Actually, the gatekeeper to a division is often times the former champ that isn’t quite himself anymore. I.E. Tito Ortiz being the gatekeeper to the LHW division.
[quote comment=”203760″][quote comment=”203558″] Then again, prolly wont be many other intriguing fights on this card due to the hype with the co main event.[/quote]
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.[/quote]
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.
Talk about a scrapp
I like kendall but I don’t think he is ready for Jorge. My prediction Rivera by knock out round one.
I dont know what this guy is talking about grove has proved hes a orthy apponent
I train with Jorge, and he is going to KO Grove easily. 1rd