Kendall Grove vs. Ikuhisa Minowa Targeted for ProElite 3

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. 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.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/11/22/kendall-grove-vs-ikuhisa-minowa-targeted-for-proelite-3/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

weird matchup lol, but thats right up minowas alley

Nice, I'll take it.

yeah it works, it'll garner attention thats for sure

Intriguing.

for the lolz...minowa by heel hook

for the realz...Grove destroys him in the first round

Does he even know how to fight a non-worked match anymore

Want free admission to the ProElite 3: "Da Spyder vs. Minowaman"
event on Jan. 21, 2012? No problem. All you have to do is show up at
the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, dressed like event
headliner Ikuhisa Minowa and ProElite's head of fight operations T. Jay Thompson will show you to your seat. So, who's ready to flaunt their junk for a spot in the nosebleeds?


Props: Twitter

Broadcast: HDNet

MAIN CARD

• Kendall Grove vs. Ikuhisa Minowa
  
• Hitomi Akano vs. Sara McMann
  
• Jake Heun vs. Richard Odoms (heavyweight grand-prix semifinals)
  
• Cody Griffin vs. Ryan Martinez (heavyweight grand-prix semifinals)
  
• Pat Cummins vs. Tasi Edwards
  
• Kaleo Gambill vs. Brent Schermerhorn
  

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)

• Toby Misech vs. Steven Saito
  
• Ilima Maiava vs. Tatsuya Mizuno
  
• Collin Mansanas vs. Thomas Sedano
  
• Sean Rush vs. Jeymes Schulte
  

AMATEUR CARD (un-aired)

• Ray Cooper III (a) vs. Kyle Foyle (a)
  
• Zach Close (a) vs. Keli'i Valencia (a)
  
• Dan Ige (a) vs. Sebastian Mariconda (a)
  

This happens TOMORROW

You gonna watch Wolf? LOL naw I kid, you won't watch.