9 Fights Signed for UFC 130

“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner Kendall Grove will welcome Tim Boetsch (Pictured) to the middleweight division at UFC 130 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3” on May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Eight fights are now official for the event, which will air live on pay-per-view.

Grove last appeared at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale in December, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Brazilian jiu-jitsu savant and one-time middleweight title contender Demian Maia at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The 28-year-old Hawaiian has secured more than half (seven) of his 12 career victories by submission. Grove has alternated between wins and losses in each of his last five outings.

A Lincolnville, Maine, native, Boetsch has not competed since UFC 123 in November, when he submitted to a modified kimura from unbeaten prospect Phil Davis at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich.; the defeat snapped a four-fight winning streak. Boetsch, who wrestled collegiately at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, owns a 3-3 mark inside the UFC. A potent finisher, he has delivered 11 of his 12 professional wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

Meanwhile, the world-ranked Demetrious Johnson will square off with once-beaten Nova Uniao standout Renan “Barao” in a pivotal showdown at 135 pounds.

A Matt Hume protégé, Johnson will carry a three-fight winning streak into the match. The 24-year-old Madisonville, Ky., native last fought at UFC 126 in February, when he outworked and outpointed Japanese superstar Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto en route to an impressive unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Known for his dizzying speed, the 5-foot-3 dynamo holds other notable victories over Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts representative Damacio Page and Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Nick Pace.

Barao has plenty of momentum, having rattled off 15 wins in succession. The 24-year-old Brazilian has not appeared since WEC 53 in December, when he submitted Chris Cariaso with a first-round rear-naked choke at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Barao dropped his first professional bout in April 2005 and has not lost since; only a 2007 no contest against Claudemir Souza interrupted a long string of victories. Eighteen of his 25 career wins have come via knockout, technical knockout or submission.

A rematch pairing lightweight champion Frankie Edgar with unbeaten challenger Gray Maynard will headline UFC 130. The two world-ranked fighters fought to a draw at UFC 125 on New Year’s Day. In addition, UFC 130 will also feature a showdown pitting one-time light heavyweight king Quinton “Rampage” Jackson against “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 alum Matt Hamill and a heavyweight duel matching former champion Frank Mir with “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 winner Roy Nelson.

UFC 130 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3”
Saturday, May 28
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas

UFC Lightweight Championship
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Matt Hamill
Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson
Stefan Struve vs. Travis Browne
Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago
Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story
Miguel Torres vs. Brad Pickett
Kendall Grove vs. Tim Boetsch
Demetrious Johnson vs. Renan “Barao”
* Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Chris Cariaso

* Not Official

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