News
16/12/08 - Exclusive: UFC signs former Cage Rage heavyweight contender Neil Grove
Former Cage Rage contender Neil 'The Goliath' Grove has been given a four-fight deal by the UFC, Fighters Only can exclusively report.
Grove (7-1) is a 6’6” 280lb Go-Ju Ryu Karate stylist who holds a ten-second knockout win over Pride FC veteran James Thompson and two wins over Robert ‘Buzz’ Berry, who defeated Ken Shamrock by KO earlier this year.
He told Fighters Only earlier: “I signed a contract today and sent it back to my manager. And he will be forwarding it to the UFC.
“It’s a four-fight deal; I don’t know who my first opponent is, but my manager did say it might be at UFC 95 in February.”
He added that the UFC “will put me in with some newer guys I imagine, I wouldn’t be surprised if I fought against Mustafa Al-Turk”.
Grove and Al-Turk were scheduled to clash for a British title before Cage Rage closed down and Al-Turk was signed by the UFC.
The clash is a natural one for the UFC to put together, but Al-Turk is fighting Cheick Kongo later this month and may not be fit for February, if that is when Grove is to debut.
Grove, who was born in South Africa, holds the black belt rank of Shodan in Go-Ju Ryu Karate, a full-contact style which emphasises sparring and grappling.
John Joe O’Regan
Attachments:
- There are no attachments for this article
