Former UFC middleweight Kendall Grove will meet Ikuhisa Minowa at ProElite 3 on Jan. 21 in Hawaii, MMAFighting.com has learned from sources close to the fighters. When contacted by MMAFighting.com, ProElite head of fight operations T. Jay Thompson would not confirm or deny the upcoming fight.
While not officially announced, ProElite 3 is scheduled to be held at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, HI, site of ProElite 1.
According to sources close to the Japanese fighter, Minowa has signed a three-fight North American exclusive deal with ProElite.
Minowa, a 51-32-8 veteran of the sport, will be making his debut for ProElite as a middleweight. He has fought for Pancrase, PRIDE, DEEP, DREAM, and once in the UFC. The popular and charismatic Japanese fighter, nicknamed “The Punk” and “Minowaman,” among other names, has won his last four fights in a row.
The 29-year-old Grove got back on the winning track when he defeated Joe Riggs at ProElite 1 in August. That fight marked his first since his release from the UFC following a second straight loss. The season 3 TUF winner ended his UFC run with a 7-6 record.
Also rumored for the Jan. 21 event is the return of Sara Mcmann and the semi-finals of the promotion’s heavyweight tournament.