Kendall Grove is apparently just too busy living his life and just doing him to be worried about potential title shots that may come his way in the future. In all fairness, Maui is just the kind of place where life is beautiful and it is nearly impossible not to enjoy life. Yes! Kendall Grove did spend a couple of years down in Las Vegas training hard and focused on his fighting career, but since he moved back to Maui which is the state in which he was born and raised things have changed in terms of his attitude and outlook towards life.
Grove was quoted as having said. “I am living the dream here in Hawaii and trying to prolong this dream as long as I can”. In fact, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie radio, Grove opened up about how his experience in Bellator and expressed how bitter it was by saying that it chewed him up and spat him out. He has since moved back to Maui, has had kids of his own, is focusing on being there for his family, and that is making him reevaluate his priorities. He said that the recent changed in life has “chopped up his life and he loves it”.
This all seems fine and reasonable, except for the fact that Grove will be back in action in the octagon next week! The 33 year old is set to make his return for the first time since February when he fought last and he is scheduled to take on former middle weight title holder Alexander Shlemenko.
Grove has a professional record of 23 wins and 15 losses in MMA and 4 wins and 2 losses in Bellator. On the other hand, Alexander Shlemenko has 53 wins and 9 losses in MMA and 11 wins and 3 losses in Bellator. Not only is he returning to the octagon after a hiatus, but Grove’s fight will be the headliner for the night come Bellator 162. The main card will be live telecasted on Spike and will be the very next program after prelims on MMA junkie.
Despite Grove’s bitter statements towards his time at the Bellator and saying that it chewed him up and spat him out, he actually enjoyed pretty solid form before he went on his getaway to Maui. In fact, he won three of his last four fights and has also won back to back fights.
Some fans believe that if Grove was to emerge victorious against Shlemenko then he would be well deserving of a title shot and he may actually even get one against current reigning champion Rafael Carvalho.
However, Grove really does not seem to be bothered about whether or not he will get a shot at the title, because all he can do right now is focus on the fight at hand and then take things as they come.
Author : Rory McGregor