Saturday night's UFC main event pits the Ultimate Fighter Season 3 middleweight winner Kendall Grove versus the former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner.
Both UFC veterans are coming off big losses. After his first loss in the UFC, Grove was given what many thought was a gimme fight with Jorge Rivera. In just over one minute, the resurged Rivera came out more aggressive than ever and knocked out Grove. Another loss would make it three in a row, the worst any TUF winner has endured.
For the fans that don't know, Evan tanner is a great example of how 90% of the fight game is mental. A former middleweight champion, Tanner has fought some of the toughest battles never seen in the Octagon...his own personal demons. After being out of competition for over a year, Tanner returned to face Yushin Okami and possibly put himself on the short list of contenders for Anderson Silva's title. Ring rust was certainly apparent in the fight, as Tanner looked flustered the entire fight, and was TKOed in the second.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Kendall Grove is easily the tallest middleweight I've seen in the UFC, so its safe to say he will have the reach advantage against Evan. Tanner's standup has also never been his strong point in fights. Kendallcertainly wants to keep the fight standing, circle and pepper Tanner with his long jab, and let it set up other combinations. Circling and controlling the Octagon is very important because Tanner will seek to close the distance and utilize his strong clinch to secure the takedown. Even though Grove trains jiu-jitsu with UFC lightweight champ BJ Penn, I believe Tanner's ground game is strong enough to avoid any submissions from the bottom, and he can work his ground and pound with vicious elbows.
When Tanner is 100% mentally prepared as well as physically, he one of the most dangerous and bare none toughest fighters on the planet. That same Tanner also has tremendous heart, displayed in his comeback victories over David Terrell and Phil Baroni. Kendall Grove should be the hungrier fighter, coming off two losses and having the opportunity to add a win over a former champ to your record. With both fighters coming off losses, hopefully they both let it all hang out in the Octagon. This one, ladies and gentlemen, has the potential to be a three round war.
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