After more than a decade throwing hands in the fight game there isn’t much Kendall Grove hasn’t experienced.

The rangy Hawaiian’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, yet Grove has held strong and continued to press forward. The 33-year-old winner of The Ultimate Fighter season three turned Bellator mainstay simply loves to throw down, and his affinity for the dust up has kept Grove hanging tough regardless of the outcome.

Grove is only getting better with age, and he credits the love from his inner-circle for keeping him rejuvenated.

“The fighting part is always fun. I’m not sure the training and everything that goes into it fits in that category. It sucks to be honest,” Grove laughed. “I always bust my ass, and that hasn’t changed for 15 years, but I’ve adjusted the approach I take to my training. I’m smarter with my body and use a lot of visualization and targeting to substitute elements of my training.

“I used to kill myself with all the wrestling, jiu-jitsu and hard sparring. Now, I don’t do that as much because I have to take care of my body. If I’m hurt I can’t fight and can’t take my kids on vacation. I have my wife to thank for helping open my eyes to the changes I needed to make.

“The passion to fight is still there and I’ll keep scrapping until that passion is gone.”



Photo Credit: Bellator

The scrappy middleweight has been on a tear as of late, notching back-to-back victories on the strength of impressive showings inside the cage. That success has earned him a high-profile tilt against former 185-pound champion Alexander Shlemenko, and fighting the hard-hitting Russian is the caliber of opportunity Grove has been craving.

So much so he’s willing to somewhat overlook the questionable elements in Shlemenko’s past and has instead chosen to focus on getting the job done at Bellator 162 in Memphis, TN.

“I’m excited to get in there with a tough, heavy-hitting and cheating striker,” Grove said. “Let’s hope he’s off the juice and let’s go in there to put on a good show. He’s a good name for me to beat because if I win I’ll be right there for another title shot. That’s the reality of it, but I have to get past this testosterone’d out Russian first. We’ll see if everything works out for me.

“Nothing has changed with me, man. I’ve always come in there to fight and that’s what I’ll always do. I’m still going out there looking for the finish. I’m still making things exciting. A fight is a fight and we are going to see who is the better man October 21.”

In addition to throwing hands with Shlemenko at Bellator 162, Grove is also fired up to hit up the BBQ spots in Memphis. The city is renown for being “The BBQ Capital of the World,” and Grove is looking forward to putting Memphis’ best to the test on a post-fight rampage.

“I have to fly out early the next morning so I hope there are places open late because I want to eat some brisket and just get fat and sloppy,” Grove said. “I’m so excited to throw down some food in Memphis. I want that brisket and some cornbread. When in Rome you know?”



Photo Credit: Bellator

As a fighter Grove rose to prominence competing under the UFC banner, but five years have come and gone since he last stepped foot inside the Octagon. And while his time with Zuffa ended on a rough patch, the ever-resilient Grove stayed on his grind and eventually found new footing in Bellator.

The savvy veteran has been there and done most things during his 13 years as a professional, Grove is excited to see the current shift happening at the elite level of the sport. Fighters have started to speak out about their pay and treatment, and more and more athletes have started to explore free agency.

Grove loves the new movement, and believes we will only see more and more big names crossing over to sign with the promotion he’s called home for the past three years.

“It’s good for the organization and great for the fighters in the long run,” Grove said. “Bellator is attracting some big names and that will make it better for the fans. Rory MacDonald and Chael Sonnen are huge moves and look at what Phil Davis has been able to accomplish in the short time he’s been here.

“The future is bright for Bellator and the fighters in Bellator. They are signing some big names and I can’t wait to get in there and fight some of them.”

In addition to all to his list of personal goals, one item Grove wants to see come to fruition is a major MMA promotion host an event in his home state. Hawaiian fans have been clamoring to see fisticuff ruckus for years, but the volume on the movement has increased significantly in recent years.

Grove wants to see Hawaiian fans get their due, and would love for his current organization to make it happen.

“I sure hope Bellator gets there soon,” Grove said. “It’s right up their alley and the right venue size. The card in Memphis is at a larger venue, but a lot of Bellator shows take place in the type of venues we have in Hawaii. Scott Coker has done shows here with his previous promotions, and I hope he gets an event here ASAP.

“I think it would be a great show and it’s one more thing they can beat the UFC in. Hawaiian fans have been wanting a top-notch show, and I know Bellator can bring it.”