Ricardo Almeida vs. Kendall Grove On Tap For UFC 101

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Big_Boy
Date: April 08, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

It didn’t take long for the UFC to let Ricardo Almeida’s know that they didn’t approve of his plans to drop down to welterweight.
FightHype.com is reporting that while nothing is official, Almeida will face Kendall Grove at UFC 101 which is scheduled for August 8th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Almeida recently made known his desire to drop down to 170 known after defeating Matt Horwich via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 18 last week. Almeida is 2-1 since returning to action after an almost four year layoff. He has defeated Rob Yundt along with Horwich and lost a unanimous decision to Patrick Cote at UFC 86 which cost him a shot at the middleweight title.
Grove is riding a two fight win streak which includes a split decision victory over the late Evan Tanner at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 7 in June of last year and a resounding 1st round TKO over Canadian Jason Day at UFC 96 in March. That victory came on the heels of UFC president Dana White declaring that the fight with Day may be a make or break situation for the Hawaiian fighter.
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/04/08/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101/

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mmafanatic
Date: April 08, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

If Grove can land something big and get the KO then Almeida will move down. However, Patrick Cote couldn't do it so kind of doubt Grove will be able to.
Almeida by sub or Grove to decision. I'll go with Almeida

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: PayaamElixir
Date: April 09, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

I know the ufc is a business first. But if Ricardo feels hes better of off at ww, isnt it better for their own business to let him. Its the business of fighting, they are not in the scrap with him. When you walk in the cage, its you against the other guy. He does seem like he walks around 185, maybe a little heavier.
I wonder how much of it has to do with Demian Maia. He figures his jujitsu is good enough to beat anybody, even Anderson Silva, but when Demain comes to the attention, he probably figures they would fight, and Demian would take it. So he goes to welterweight.
He was already top of the line as a mw so I think he will do well in both.
Now on to the fight. I think its a bad matchup for Kendall. He does have the ability to finish him with strikes. But not punches. I Ricardo gets it to the ground, it will be over fast. I think Kendall needs to strike, but more Muay Thai, and Kickboxing, use different weapons. Should be a fun fight to watch.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Big_Boy
Date: April 09, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

NarlyPersianDude said:
I wonder how much of it has to do with Demian Maia. He figures his jujitsu is good enough to beat anybody, even Anderson Silva, but when Demain comes to the attention, he probably figures they would fight, and Demian would take it. So he goes to welterweight.
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I don't think any of it had to do with Maia. It was a suggestion by Renzo gracie.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Chug_Life
Date: April 09, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Almeida seems to gas in almost every fight he has...If Grove can drag him into deep water I think he may be able to win a decision. Im not a big Kendall Grove fan so I would like to see Almeida send him packing once and for all.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: PayaamElixir
Date: April 09, 2009 at 02:58 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Chug_Life said:
Almeida seems to gas in almost every fight he has...If Grove can drag him into deep water I think he may be able to win a decision. Im not a big Kendall Grove fan so I would like to see Almeida send him packing once and for all.
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He is a tuf winner coming off back to back wins, and you are talking about sending him packing? What is up with you man.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: April 09, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

I'm rooting for Kendall Grove
If he can utilize his huge reach advantage than he should win fairly easily. Grove has good TDD and Almeida doesn't have excellent TDs. Kendall should just come to this fight with the same game plan that Cote had.
On a side note: How come nobody likes Kendall? Am I the only one? :lol: :?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: jon1482
Date: April 09, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

mmafanatic said:
If Grove can land something big and get the KO then Almeida will move down. However, Patrick Cote couldn't do it so kind of doubt Grove will be able to.
Almeida by sub or Grove to decision. I'll go with Almeida
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What he said.
I also wish Almeida would have been allowed to move down to 170 right away and possibly shake up the ww division even more.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: HITMAN1223
Date: April 09, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

BigLEFT said:
I'm rooting for Kendall Grove
If he can utilize his huge reach advantage than he should win fairly easily. Grove has good TDD and Almeida doesn't have excellent TDs. Kendall should just come to this fight with the same game plan that Cote had.
On a side note: How come nobody likes Kendall? Am I the only one? :lol: :?
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your not the only one. im a HUGE grove fan. i say as long as he can stuff the takedown and scramble if he goes down, then he should have this 1 in the bag. as well as stuffing the takedowna dn scrambling, he should fire leg kicks like theres no tommorow so almeidas shot may weaken a bit. im saying kendall by late KO or dec.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Project86
Date: April 09, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

the way Ricardo was striking against Horrwich he can probably knock grove out

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: josh3588
Date: April 09, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

I'm not trying to offend any Kendall fans, but I just don't find him that exciting. It will be a decent fight to watch, but nothing that has got me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Big_Boy
Date: April 09, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Kendalls long limbs are perfect for a BJJ Practitioner. If Ricardo pulls guard like he did on Cote in the first few seconds, I see Kendall losing this.
As Bas says
" Tall guys like that are easier to submit because long limbs are easier to catch for submissions. Tall fighters also leave a lot of space around their bodies which makes it easier for their opponent to escape. You could have knee barred that guy on his arm.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: smcdonald5
Date: April 09, 2009 at 03:08 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

BigLEFT said:
I'm rooting for Kendall Grove
If he can utilize his huge reach advantage than he should win fairly easily. Grove has good TDD and Almeida doesn't have excellent TDs. Kendall should just come to this fight with the same game plan that Cote had.
On a side note: How come nobody likes Kendall? Am I the only one? :lol: :?
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You're not the only one...I'm a big fan of Kendall Grove and I think he can take the fight with Almeida

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: April 09, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

I'm glad to see I'm not the only Kendall Grove fan on here
I hope he lives up to/reaches his potential.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Gnarcore
Date: April 09, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Can't say I have ever cared for Kendall but his post fight celebration is just offensive when someone is on the mat and he goes through the whole 'gravedigger' routine. That goes for Tito as well.
Watching Kendall crumble from Cote's quick right hook was great and I hope Almeida slaps on a choke and we get to see Kendall go to lala land.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: April 09, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Gnarcore said:
Can't say I have ever cared for Kendall but his post fight celebration is just offensive when someone is on the mat and he goes through the whole 'gravedigger' routine. That goes for Tito as well.
Watching Kendall crumble from Cote's quick right hook was great and I hope Almeida slaps on a choke and we get to see Kendall go to lala land.
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I understand where you're coming from on the whole "grave digger" thing. I don't like that either, but its kinda silly to root against a fighter because of his post fight celebration routine :lol:
Damn near everyone celebrates after a victory, I just don't like that Kendall stole his :?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mattandbenny
Date: April 09, 2009 at 07:05 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Good fight, interesting clash of styles. I'll give it to Kendall though Almeida is gonna find it hard to get close enough to Kendall to get the takedown with the reach.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: cool14
Date: April 09, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

I was shocked when the UFC announced this fight, i though Almeida wanted to move to 170. Are they forcing him to fight at 185.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: NYR30AILD
Date: April 09, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Wow 101 is quickly becoming one of the most stacked cards in recent memory

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Lencazo415
Date: April 09, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ricardo-almeida-vs-kendall-grove-on-tap-for-ufc-101.12361/

Almeida should win via sub round 1.