Grove-Oleinik Announced for Heavyweight Semi at Bellator 29

Former Cage Rage star Neil Grove and M-1 Global veteran Alexey Oleinik will meet in a heavyweight semi-final tournament bout at Bellator 29 on Sept. 16 inside the Rave/Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisc., the promotion announced on Tuesday.

Grove advanced to the tournament’s next round with a 92-second technical knockout over UFC veteran Eddie Sanchez at Bellator 24 in August.

The South African-born Grove was a regular fixture on the U.K. fight scene between 2007 and 2009 and has earned all nine of his career wins via strikes. Grove was submitted with a 63-second heelhook by Mike Ciesnolevicz at UFC 95 in February 2009 in London.

Ukrainian fighter Oleinik earned a split decision against Mike Hayes at Bellator 26 on Aug. 26 in Kansas City, Mo., to earn his spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.

In January 2009, Oleinik led the Red Devil Sports Club squad to a 2008 M-1 Challenge team title with a second-round submission over Jesse Gibbs. Oleinik has collected 23 of his 28 career victories by way of submission.

“Neil vs. Alexey is a classic striker vs. grappler match-up that should provide fans with an explosive heavyweight fight,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney in a press release. “We're thrilled to be able to bring our unique brand of mixed martial arts to the great city of Milwaukee for their first taste of world-class nationally televised MMA action. It will be a great night of fights.”