Middleweight Kendall Grove’s (11-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) mystery opponent at the as-yet-unannounced UFC 112 event could be “The Filipino Wrecking Machine.”
Multiple sources MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) spoke to on Wednesday said Mark Munoz (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is under intense consideration to face Grove at the event, expected for April 10 in Abu Dhabi at a stadium to be constructed.
It is unknown whether bout agreements have been distributed, but at least one fighter has verbally agreed to the contest.
However, Munoz first needs to be cleared by an orthopedic doctor for injuries suffered during his UFC 108 bout earlier this month before getting the green-light to begin camp.
The former NCAA Division I wrestling champion, who on Wednesday received his purple belt in jiu-jitsu from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for potential injuries to his right hand, wrist and elbow during a submission win via strikes over Ryan Jensen at UFC 108.
Two title fights – B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar and Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort – are confirmed as co-headlining bouts to a welterweight showdown between Gracie statesman Renzo Gracie and nine-time UFC champion Matt Hughes.
Grove on Monday confirmed his participation on the card via his official Twitter account, though he did not specify his opponent.
The Maui, Hawaii, native most recently defeated Jake Rosholt at UFC 108 in a come-from-behind submission victory that put him back on the winning track. According to one source, Grove plans to use Penn’s corner team in the upcoming fight.
UFC 112 is the first event ever held in the United Arab Emirates and was recently bolstered by the promotion’s new equity partnership with Flash Entertainment, an event consultancy firm owned by the UAE government. The firm is reportedly planning to build a stadium to house the event.
For the latest on UFC 112, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
