Kendall Grove Online Chat Transcript -- A MMAjunkie.com and Mickey's Event (2024)

09:59:34 PM: Hello Kendall. We’ll get started shortly.

10:04:31 PM: Welcome everyone to tonight’s online chat with Kendall Grove

10:05:07 PM: I’m Performify from MMAjunkie.com — and lets go ahead and get started

10:05:29 PM: First question:

10:05:32 PM: Owen O – what fighter would you most like to fight?

10:06:08 PM: Kendall – Right now, Patrick Cote. I never looked past a fighter, but after him, probably Jason MacDonald. He says he’s the guy who should have won the TUF show, and I take that as disrespect. I wouldn’t mind fighting him.

10:06:28 PM: Patricia S – Kendall How close do you feel you are to competing for the Middleweight title?

10:06:35 PM: Kendall – About a year and a half. I just want to get more mature in the sport and climb that ladder.

10:06:55 PM: follow up:

10:06:57 PM: aaron w – how many more fights do you think u need before a title shot?

10:07:28 PM: Kendall – I’m guessing it’ll be about 4-5. I’m not in a rush. I’m still young in this sport. I don’t want to get in there too soona nd get knocked. I think I’ll be ready in about five fights.

10:07:46 PM: mike s – How do you feel you stack up against some of the top middleweights in the UFC? Do you think you could beat guys like Anderson Silva or Rich Franklin?

10:07:28 PM: Kendall – I’m guessing it’ll be about 4-5. I’m not in a rush. I’m still young in this sport. I don’t want to get in there too soona nd get knocked. I think I’ll be ready in about five fights.

10:07:46 PM: mike s – How do you feel you stack up against some of the top middleweights in the UFC? Do you think you could beat guys like Anderson Silva or Rich Franklin?

10:08:35 PM: Kendall – Right now, I think I could give them a run for their money. But I’m still young and a little immature right now in the sport. I think I can put up a good fight, but I still need to grow as a fighter before I face guys like that.

10:08:40 PM: Eric F – Kendall can you walk us through your training regiment for your next fight?

10:11:40 PM: Kendall – I wake up every morning and first thing is run 3-4 miles outside. In that 4 miles, I’ll sprint and get my heart rate up and try to get it back down and then back up. Then lift some weights. Then wrestling/jiu-jistu in the morning. Lift some weights. Eat lunch. Then back later that day for pro practice. One day is big gloves, the next day is small gloves. I’ll do the professional practice. Two training sessions of 2-3 hours each, and we’ll go hard with the pro practice.

10:11:57 PM: Kendall – I do that five days a week. On the weekend, I do my run. I lift every other day. So if it’s my day to list. I’ll do that. I usually take Sundays off.

10:12:27 PM: stefan d – Hey Kendall,What are your thoughts on the upcoming GSP Vs Koscheck fight?

10:14:07 PM: Kendall – I think it’s a good fight. Josh has grown as a fighter since the show. I think his skills have grown and he’s a complete fighter. GSP is the man, too. He’s complete. He had a speed bump with Serra. Not taking anything away from Koscheck but Kos could pull out the upset. But St. Pierre has all the tools and has been in there with the big names. And after that last loss, he’s got a fire. If I’m a betting man, though, I’d have to go with GSP.

10:14:38 PM: Skip S – Kendall, which one of your losses would you like to avenge first? Grove vs. Riggs would be killer in the ufc.

10:16:09 PM: Kendall – None of them. I’m kind of good friends with all three of them. If I had to, I’d probably fight Riggs again. But that’s gun against my head. He’s a great fighter and down to my size. I fought Hector at 205, and Savant Young is in the IFL. So I guess Riggs is my only option at this point. But we’re really good friends.

10:16:35 PM: da a – Are you ready for your next fight?

10:17:18 PM: Kendall – Of course I am. I’m always ready for my fights. I’ve been training hard and can’t wait. I’m excited for this fight. Patrick’s a tough kid. What can I say? He fought Tito to a decision and took everything he could throw at him. He’s a tough guy. I’m going to love trying to finish him.

10:17:32 PM: Patricia S – Are You Still A member of Team Punishment, or have you and Tito gone seperate ways?

10:20:18 PM: Kendall – I’m still a member of Team Punishment. He sponsored me. We’re good friends. I had to train in Vegas because I live here, and we’ve never had fights at the same time. I have a good time in Las Vegas with Couture and Cobra Kai. I found a good, healthy camp here. I talked to Tito just the other day, and he’s my main sponsor. But I like to stay in Vegas.

10:20:24 PM: aaron w – have you had any injuries duing training?

10:22:49 PM: Kendall – Yeah, not anything serious, though. My shins were banged up two weeks ago from sparring hard. Sean Thompkins just got here in Vegas, and he’s a good trainer and kickboxer and has been training me. I’ve got some kickboxing injuries. Some shin splints from running hard, and some cuts and scratches. But I’m ready to go. It’s nothing too serious where I have to take a few days off. It’s been a good few months overall.

10:23:09 PM: Tom W – How will Kendall beat Cote?

10:24:36 PM: Kendall – I’m not a fortune teller, and I don’t like to go in there too confident. I like to stay humble. I expect a decision — a unanimous. I like decisions — maybe I’m crazy like that. But I like putting on good shows for the fans so they can see it all. I might get him with a submission. I’ve been working on my hands, though, so maybe that’s how I get him. I just want to put on a good show for all you guys who pay good money to watch us.

10:24:56 PM: Owen O – who is the fighter you most like to watch?

10:26:27 PM: Kendall – I like to watch Forrest, Mike Pyle, Wanderlei Silva, Shogun, Fedor. I love watching fights. I love going to small shows and watching the up and comers. Oh, and B.J. Penn. He’s one of my heroes. I always like watching him.

10:26:38 PM: Bonnie O – What are your favorite snacks for energy?

10:28:13 PM: Kendall – Reese’s peanut butter cups. Rocky road ice cream. Any sweets. That’s my biggest weakness. For training, I like protein shakes — and the Reese’s peanut butter cups. I won’t go too overboard. Maybe one or two candy bars per week. But I have a high metabolism, and you have to give in every once a while. The peanut butter cups are my crack.

10:28:23 PM: Follow up: What do you eat before a fight?

10:30:41 PM: Kendall – Air. Haha! Seriously, leading up to a fight, my typical diet is no red meat. Chicken and fish is good. Always with brown rice or a salad with steamed vegetables. For lunch, maybe a turkey sandwich with brown bread. The day before a fight at the weigh-ins, I have a tradition. I have chicken alfredo and my stomach is the size of a tennis ball, so I don’t eat much. But then once my hunger is back, it’s all-you-can-eat sushi. On the day of the fights, it’s all pancakes. One stack when I wake up…

10:31:11 PM: Kendall – and another stack later on. After a fight, it’s all liquids — Mickey’s!

10:31:16 PM: Bernard Y – What job would you consider if not fighting

10:32:44 PM: Kendall – Waterproofing decks back in Hawaii. I still do it once in a while when I’m back home. My old boss is my neighbor back in Hawaii. He gave me a job out of high school when no one else would. I really like the guy. He still gets me to help out sometimes when I get back. And I love it. I got him hooked on jiu-jitsu and his whole family does it now.

10:32:54 PM: Jeremy M – Who have you used (in training) to mimic your next opponent, Patrick Cote?

10:34:12 PM: Kendall – Sean Thompkins spars with me a lot. Mike Pyle and Forrest Griffin too. Those are the three guys I spar with consistenly. Also Randy Couture. He doesn’t really mimick Patrick, but he hits hard and teaches me a lot. I’ve got a lot of good partners around me.

10:34:29 PM: Doug M – Where do you think the fight with cote will take place? Mostly on the feet or more groundwork?

10:35:18 PM: Kendall – I think the majority of it will be in my fight. He likes to bang, and I’ve been working on my hands. But if opportunity knocks, I’ll take it down. I’m guessing we’ll stand most the time, but I’ve been wrong in the past.

10:35:49 PM: Bryan C – Kendall…Congrats on your success, there’s a whole lot of people who enjoy watching you do your thing in the octagon! My question is about your training and your relationship with Tito..you guys still pushing each other?

10:36:47 PM: Kendall – Yeah, for sure. When Tito has a fight, I call and try to inspire him and give him good advice. He does the same with me. “How ya doing? How ya feeling?” We’ve got a great relationship. It’s been good ever since the show. He thinks I’ll be a champ someday, and I respect him as a friend and a coach. You could definitely saw we push each other.

10:37:13 PM: Robert G – When you lose a round does it bum you out or make you stronger for the next round?

10:38:32 PM: Kendall – It makes me stronger because I always tell my corner to tell me the truth. Don’t sugarcoat it so I’ll go out there and work harder. When I lose a round, it’s in my head that I need to work harder. It lights a fire under my ***. With Ed Herman, I lost that first one. My corner told me, and it got me fired up. I tell myself “there are people in the stands and people from hawaii pulling for you.” That gets me fired up to go out there and get the next round.

10:38:34 PM: tom d – what do u think about the acquisition of pride and it’s implications on the ufc?

10:39:55 PM: Kendall – I think it’s good. We’ve got a lot more great fighters coming in the UFC — Wanderlei, Shogun, Nogeira.Who knows — Fedor someday maybe. I’m a fan before a fighter, so I love to see them. Maybe I’ll get to fight some of their best one day, and that gets me fired up to train harder.

10:39:59 PM: Nick R – You being from Hawaii, do you know anything about Dog the Bounty Hunter’s son Leland fighting MMA?

10:41:34 PM: Kendall – He’s actually been doing MMA long before me. I fought one time in the Big Island in Hawaii and he picked us up because his trainer was doing the show. He had just had knee surgery because of a heel hook that blew out his knee. I know that was a setback, but he has a few fights under his belt.

10:41:47 PM: Owen O – what 2 fighters would you most like to see fight?

10:43:41 PM: Kendall – It would be me and Jason MacDonald. haha! I don’t know. It’d probably be Fedor and Randy Couture at heavyweight. I’d like to see Brandon Vera and Rampage if Vera goes down to 205. I know both of them personally, and that’d be a good fight. Wanderlei and Chuck would be one I — and a lot of people — would want to see. I’d like to see Wanderlei and Tito again, too.

10:43:46 PM: Nick R – Ken Shamrock is my fav fighter. Was he really that bad of a coach as they portrayed him to be on TUF?

10:45:12 PM: Kendall – I couldn’t say because I wasn’t part of the team. But from the guys in the house, at the end of taping, all of the guys from his team were complaining and saying he wasn’t a good coach and just there for the rematch with Tito. But I have some friends who say he’s a good coach in the IFL. I don’t know, though. I don’t know from my own experience. I’m just glad I was on Tito’s team.

10:45:16 PM: Nate A – What do you think should happen to Sherk and Franca for testing positive for illegal substances ?

10:47:21 PM: Kendall – Suspended and stripped from the title. They got busted doing performance enhancing drugs. I’m sure they’d say the same thing about me if I got caught. Luckily, I’m a skinny, lanky punk. I’ve met both those guys, and they’re great guys. I wish they hadn’t gotten caught and done the drugs. But suspensions and being stripped of the title is what you probably have to do.

10:47:39 PM: ? ? – What are you thoughts on all the hating fans do to Tito Ortiz? He’s my favorite fighter so it’s just annoying to see people always typing smack on the forums about him.

10:49:55 PM: Kendall – I don’t just came to the conclusion that there’s always going to be haters out there — whether it’s me or him. I just think it’s dogsh*t. I remember when Tito fought Forrest in Anaheim. They all cheer before, but then they’re booing after the fight. Those guys aren’t fans, though. They’re nutriders. They just like to go with whoever is winning. It just sucks for the true fans who really like Tito and have to put up with those guys.

10:50:09 PM: jack s – kendall do u use any supplements like creatine, protein shakes , etc

10:51:23 PM: Kendall – I drink Muscle Milk. I take a lot of supplements, vitamins, fish oil and shark cartilidge for my knees. B12 and Couture has his own supplement I use. I’m 24, but I have days when I wake up and feel like I’m 53.

10:51:37 PM: Josh g – How much has your life style changed since your days on The Ultimate Fighter?

10:53:55 PM: Kendall – I’m still broke. I have a Hawaii outreach program where I open my house and try to help out some other fighters. Last fight I bought a plasma TV but I still have a lot of hand-me-down furniture. Myabe I’ll get a couch if I win this one. Hawaiians are humble. It hasn’t changed me much. I still sign every autograph and talk to every fan. I’m not going to be a jerk. I’m in the best fight organization in the world. That’s something to be happy about.

10:54:21 PM: ? ? – what has been your favourite moment in your ufc career so far?

10:55:49 PM: Kendall – Probably winning the contract against Ed. It was like the third best fight of last year. Just waiting for that decision — it was such a close fight. I remember waiting for Bruce Buffer to announce it. Plus, I got a new nice watch. But I think my brother stole it from me.

10:55:57 PM: Keith D – what was your toughest fight?

10:56:25 PM: Kendall – Ed Herman. That was my only fight that went the distance. It was back and forth. I’d say that’s my toughest fight. Next week could be right up there too.

10:56:49 PM: Justin B – Who are you currently training with for this upcoming fight; how is it going?

10:59:00 PM: Kendall – It’s been going well. It’s a great camp. Mike Pyle, Forrest Griffin, Joey Varner, Sean Thompkins, Frank Trigg, Randy Couture. Plus all the trainers and coaches at Couture’s. And Mark Leimon and all the guys are Cobra Kai. It’s been a lot of guys. They’ve been doing a great job helping me get ready for next week.

10:59:12 PM: tom c – godfather or goodfellas?

10:59:25 PM: Kendall – Godfather, part 1. I’ve watched that about 14 times.

10:59:51 PM: tom d – do you think a serious injury in a live event would hurt the popularity of the ufc or would the publicity ultimately be positive exposure? not be crass, of course.

11:01:14 PM: Kendall – I hope it never happens. You never know, though. I can’t really answer that. I think we’ll take a lot of publicity away from boxing because boxing has been taking a lot of heat for injuries and deaths. I think the UFC would then get some of that heat. A lot of critics keep comparing us to boxing, and we keep saying we’re just as safe as boxing. So I think that’ll become a big topic if it happens.

11:01:18 PM: alex d – how many calories do you consume in a day

11:02:12 PM: Kendall – I do not know. No idea. I’m not one of those guy who looks on the back box or the nutrition facts. Train hard and don’t eat stupid **** all the time, and I know I’ll be OK. I’m not a health freak who has to read everything.

11:02:32 PM: Colby A – Who does he think will win between Rampage and Henderson?

11:03:49 PM: Kendall – I think Rampage. Just because it’s going to be a tough fight, but I just think Rampage is more well-rounded and looks better as a complete fighter. But I’m not taking anything away from Dan. He may not look complete, but he’ll knock your head off. He’s strong as an ox. But Rampage is so well-rounded and has that big right hand.

11:03:59 PM: jack s – when did u start your first ever martial arts?

11:05:33 PM: Kendall – Seriously, to be a fighter, I’d say late 2002 is when I started. It was was in Vegas late 2001 just learning jiu-jistu from my friends. I was getting in a lot of fights and I wanted to be able to hold my own. I wretled in high school, but to train as a fighter started after I moved to Vegas in 2002. So you can take your pick about when you think I really started.

11:05:50 PM: cassandra b – What was it like when you got your first win?

11:06:54 PM: Kendall – It was awesome. It’s a feeling that only a fighter knows. That’s what I have around my neck tattooed. It’s better than everything — better than sex, better than money, better than having money. It’s great. I can’t even explain it.

11:07:09 PM: Jose R – Who in your weight class would you like to beat up?

11:07:26 PM: Kendall – Jason MacDonald.

11:07:37 PM: Kendall – You knew that was coming, right?

11:07:40 PM: Owen O – would you ever consider being a coach on t.u.f

11:08:30 PM: Kendall – I’m still learning how to teach. It’s harder than learning to fight. I’m still trying to learn how to teach so I can work with up and coming fighters from Hawaii. I’ll then hopefully do some seminars. You know. Maybe I’ll be a coach on Season 28.

11:09:07 PM: tom d – Favorite music? TV shows?

11:11:39 PM: Kendall – My reggae. Bob Marley. Innvision (they’re from Hawaii). I love comedy movies. I listen to pretty much any type of music — even country,and opera. I love any music that makes my mood change. i love the show “Rob and Big” too

11:11:55 PM: ? ? – who is his bjj coach

11:13:22 PM: Performify – let me reformat that a little better: who is your BJJ coach? do you have a BJJ belt?

11:13:38 PM: Kendall – Mark Leimon at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu. Mike Pyle who is awesome in jiu-jitsu too. For the majority of the time, it’s from Leimon. 99% of what I learned with jiu-jitsu came from him. I’m a blue belt under him, and I’m **** proud of it.

11:13:56 PM: Alan C – What’s it feel like right before getting into the ring, in front of all those people?

11:14:42 PM: Kendall – Happiness. It’s happiness. ****, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s a great feeling being in front of this people. It’s getting ready to get punched and getting to punch someone.

11:14:49 PM: tom d – did you have any favorite fighters on the last TUF?

11:15:39 PM: Kendall – Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard. I know Maynard real well and helped him get on the season. Diaz is a good friend and a guy I love to watch fight.

11:15:52 PM: james r – What is your opinion of the state of steroids in MMA?

11:16:50 PM: Kendall – I don’t understand why people need it so much. I think it’s just good they’re cracking down on it. When you take steroids, it doesn’t create a fair fight anymore.

11:18:16 PM: Performify – Kendall what do you consider the biggest holes in your game right now? What are you working on the most?

11:19:13 PM: Kendall – Using my reach. God gave me a gift, and they’re long-*** arms. I need to learn to use them better. I train everything else just as hard. But once this fight is over, I’m going to go jiu-jitsu for a full month. But I also need to work on improving on my reach.

11:19:19 PM: Owen O – favourite fight?

11:20:21 PM: Kendall – I’ll say PRIDE Grand Prix where shogun won. And I’d say Fisher-Sam Stout. And any one of BJ Penn’s fights. They’re all good.

11:20:49 PM: Performify – the 2005 middleweight grand prix, definitely a great one

11:20:51 PM: tom d – any favorite games to play in vegas?

11:21:44 PM: Kendall – I love roulette and blackjack. Those are my two favorites. I went to Canada to corner Solomon and it was at an Indian casino. I went down big.

11:23:20 PM: Performify – Kendall, we really appreciate you taking the time for this. Big thanks again to Mickeys for making all this possible. Check out MMAjunkie.com for the full transcript soon. Kendall, thanks on behalf of MickeysThrowsDown.com and MMAjunkie.com

11:25:02 PM: Kendall – I big thanks to all of you guys for coming today. I really appreciate the support. A big thanks to MMAjunkie.com for having me on, and a big thanks to Mickey’s for putting it together. I’ll see you guys next week at UFC 74!

11:25:17 PM: Performify – Thanks to all the readers and all the fans. Be sure to check MickeysThrowsDown.com and MMAjunkie.com for more Mickey’s chat announcements