- Neil Grove
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Neil Grove Born January 18, 1971
Klerksdorp, South AfricaOther names Goliath Nationality 
South African
EnglishHeight 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Weight 264.6 lb (120.0 kg; 18.9 st) Division Heavyweight (265 lb)
Super Heavyweight (265+ lb)Reach 78 in (198 cm) Style Boxing, Gōjū-ryū Karate Fighting out of London, England Rank black belt in Gōjū-ryū Years active 2006 - present Mixed martial arts record Total 17 Wins 11 By knockout 11 By submission 0 Losses 5 Draws 1 Other information Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog Neil Grove (born January 18, 1971) is a South African-born English heavyweight mixed martial artist currently signed with Bellator Fighting Championships. He holds a black belt rank of shodan in Gōjū-ryū karate. He holds notable victories over UFC veterans James McSweeney, and Eddie Sanchez TUF alumni Zak Jensen and Pride veteran James Thompson.
Contents
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Grove made his MMA debut at UKMMAC 17: Iron Circle on November 16, 2006, beating Anthony Okorie by TKO. He next fought at UKMMAC 18: Fists of Fury against Denniston Sutherland, who was 30 kg lighter than Grove at the time. Grove won by TKO in the second round. The fight caused some controversy due to a delay between rounds 1 and 2 caused by a problem with the cage.
Cage Rage
On July 14, 2007, Grove made his Cage Rage debut at Cage Rage 22: Hard as Hell, stepping in on two days notice to fight PRIDE veteran James Thompson. Grove knocked out the heavily favored Thompson in just 10 seconds of the first round. Grove followed up with two more stoppages in Cage Rage before facing former Cage Rage heavyweight champion Rob Broughton. Grove lost the bout by majority decision.
Grove fought in a re-match against Robert Berry at Cage Rage 27: Step Up on July 12, 2008. He won via TKO in the second round. After the fight, Grove called out both Mostapha Al-turk and Kimbo Slice. Grove and Al-turk were scheduled for a heavyweight title fight before Cage Rage closed down.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On December 16, 2008, Grove announced that he was signing a four fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Grove expressed interest in fighting fellow European standout Mostapha al-Turk, who has also signed with the UFC.[1]
He lost his long awaited UFC debut UFC 95 in London, England, to Mike Ciesnolevicz via Heel hook submission early in the first round. Grove was released from his UFC contract in May.
Ultimate Challenge
Afterwards he returned to Ultimate Challenge UK at the The Troxy in London, he defeated brawler Martin Thompson to retain his UCUK Heavyweight title.
He then fought to a draw with Stav Economou at Ultimate Challenge MMA - Never Back Down.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Grove made his Bellator and US debut against Eddie Sanchez, winning via TKO (Punches) at 1:32 of round 1.
He next faced Alexey Oleinik at Bellator 29. He won via TKO at 0:45 in the first round. This win earned Graove a spot in the finals of the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament, where he faced undefeated wrestler Cole Konrad. Grove lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Grove was scheduled to make his return to the promotion at Bellator 43 where he would face The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumnus Zak Jensen. However, Grove pulled out of the bout due to an injury.[2] Grove instead fought Jensen at Bellator 47.[3] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Grove entered the second heavyweight tournament in Bellator's fifth season. He faced Mike Hayes at Bellator 52[4] and lost the back-and-forth bout via split decision.
Grove faced Thiago Santos at Bellator 56 in the semi-finals of the heavyweight tournament after Blagoi Ivanov pulled out of the bout due to an injury.[5] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Challenge MMA
- Ultimate Challenge MMA Heavyweight championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown 17 matches 11 wins 5 losses By knockout 11 0 By submission 0 3 By decision 0 2 Draws 1 Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Loss 11-5-1 Thiago Santos Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 56 October 29, 2011 1 0:38 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Bellator Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal; Replaced an injured Blagoi Ivanov Loss 11–4–1 Mike Hayes Decision (split) Bellator 52 October 1, 2011 3 5:00 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal Win 11–3–1 Zak Jensen TKO (punches) Bellator 47 July 23, 2011 1 2:00 Rama, Ontario, Canada Loss 10–3–1 Cole Konrad Submission (keylock) Bellator 32 October 14, 2010 1 4:45 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Bellator Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Final Win 10–2–1 Alexey Oleinik TKO (punches) Bellator 29 September 16, 2010 1 0:45 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Bellator Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal Win 9–2–1 Eddie Sanchez TKO (punches) Bellator 24 August 12, 2010 1 1:32 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal Draw 8–2–1 Stav Economou Draw UCMMA 12: Never Back Down May 8, 2010 3 5:00 London, England For the Ultimate Challenge MMA Heavyweight title Win 8–2 Martin Thompson TKO (punches) UCMMA 8: Dynamite October 25, 2009 1 0:53 London, England Loss 7–2 Mike Ciesnolevicz Submission (heel hook) UFC 95 February 21, 2009 1 1:03 London, England Win 7–1 James McSweeney TKO (punches) UCMMA 1: Bad Breed December 7, 2008 2 1:38 London, England Won Ultimate Challenge MMA Heavyweight title Win 6–1 Robert Berry TKO (punches) Cage Rage 27 July 12, 2008 2 1:29 London, England Loss 5–1 Rob Broughton Decision (majority) Cage Rage 25 March 8, 2008 3 5:00 London, England Win 5–0 Robert Berry TKO (corner stoppage) Cage Rage 24 December 1, 2007 1 5:00 London, England Win 4–0 Domagoj Ostojić TKO (punches) Cage Rage 23 September 22, 2007 1 0:34 London, England Win 3–0 James Thompson KO (punch) Cage Rage 22 July 14, 2007 1 0:10 London, England Win 2–0 Denniston Sutherland TKO (punches) UKMMAC 18: Fists of Fury February 25, 2007 1 3:05 Purfleet, England Win 1–0 Anthony Okorie TKO (punches) UKMMAC 17: Iron Circle November 26, 2006 1 0:54 England References
- ^ Fighters Only Magazine - Exclusive: UFC signed former heavyweight Cage Rage contender Neil Grove
- ^ "Neil Grove out of Bellator 43 fight with Zak Jensen". mmadiehards.com. http://mmadiehards.com/features/neil-grove-out-of-bellator-43-fight-with-zak-jensen/. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ^ "Grove-Jensen Heavyweight Scrap Added to Bellator 47 Draw". sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Grove-Jensen-Heavyweight-Scrap-Added-to-Bellator-47-Draw-33915. Retrieved 2011-7-12.
- ^ "Bellator Heavyweight Draw Revealed, Begins Oct. 1 at Bellator 52". sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-Heavyweight-Draw-Revealed-Begins-Oct-1-at-Bellator-52-35199. Retrieved 2011-8-31.
- ^ "Blagoi Ivanov out, Neil Grove back in heavyweight tourney at Bellator 56". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-10-19. http://mmajunkie.com/news/25728/blagoi-ivanov-out-neil-grove-back-in-heavyweight-tourney-at-bellator-56.mma.
Categories:- 1971 births
- Living people
- White South African people
- South African mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- English people of South African descent
- Ultimate Challenge MMA
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