Maui’s Grove Suffers Second Defeat Via Submission

By Rodney S. Yap

Maui’s Kendall Grove suffered only his second submission loss of his career Thursday when Jay Silva submitted the former Ultimate Fighter with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their Superior Cage Combat 4 middleweight main event at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The official time was 1 minute, 52 seconds of the second round.

Seven years ago was the last time Grove was submitted. In 2005 Savant Young executed a guillotine choke at “Lockdown in Paradise 1” in Hawaii. Grove is now 14-10 overall and 7-6 in the UFC. Silva improved to 8-5 overall and is 0-2 in UFC.

Grove has been busy, less than a month ago, on Jan. 21, “Da Spyder” dominated Japanese fighter Ikuhisa Minowa in the main event of ProElite 3 in Honolulu. His unanimous decision against Minowa — followed a win over Joe Riggs in August — marked Grove’s first consecutive victories in almost three years.

In other results from SCC4:

Jay Silva def. Kendall Grove by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (1:52)

(SCC 155 Title Fight) John Gunderson def. Justin Buchholz via submission (kimura) Rd 3 (2:34)

Jamie Yager def. Danny Davis Jr. by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Paulo Bananada def. Dominique Robinson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Brandon Bender def. Shorty Weikel by submission (triangle choke) Rd 3 (2:30)

Walt Harris def. Anthony Hamiltion by knockout (punches) Rd 1

Jimmy Jones def. Joao Victor  via submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3 (3:49)

ProMMAnow.com‘s Joe Gugelman was cage side at SCC4 and provided the play-by-play commentary below.

Round 1 – Silva comes out throwing jabs while Grove is throwing low kicks. Grove pins him against the cage, lands some knees and foot stomps. Silva breaks free and they square up. Leg kick from Silva. Straight right from Grove scores. Big counter right hook from Silva. Silva pins Grove against the cage. They separate. Standing elbow strike from Silva. Head kick by Silva is blocked, barely. Grove chases him down and lands a few punches capped off with a right hook. They clinch up, Grove goes for the takedown and gets it with 90 seconds remaining in the round. Grove spins to his back, but is shaken off and winds up on his back. Silva wants no part of his guard and lets him up. Silva blocks a punch combo and shakes his head at Grove. Silva just misses a big uppercut as the bell sounds. Gugelman scores it 10-9 Grove.

Round 2 – Silva catches Grove with a shot early and Grove is on roller skates. Silva pounces trying to finish as Grove goes to his back. Grove ties him up in his guard. Silva passes guard, Grove gives up his back. Silva rains down punches as Grove scrambles and regains half guard. Silva takes his back again and locks on a rear naked choke. Kendall Grove taps out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jay Silva def. Kendall Grove by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 2 (1:52)