Kendall Grove will replace an injured Melvin Manhoef against Mamed Khalidov in the main event of KSW 21.
Grove, 29, made his name by winning “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 back in 2006. “Da Spyder” competed for nearly five years in the Octagon, racking up a promotional record of 7-6 before receiving his release on the heels of back-to-back losses. Following a 2-0 stint in the ProElite cage, Grove has gone 3-1 in his last four bouts, most recently earning a technical knockout over former WEC light heavyweight title challenger Ariel Gandulla on Nov. 3.
KSW’s first light heavyweight champion, Khalidov, 32, rides a five-fight winning streak heading into clash with Grove, besting a quintet of UFC veterans, including Yuki Sasaki, James Irvin, Matt Lindland and Jesse Taylor. The middleweight was last seen picking up a win on May 12, knocking out Rodney Wallace in 1:55 at KSW 19.