Grove loses first UFC fight

LAS VEGAS » Maui's Kendall Grove lost the first UFC fight of his career when he was stopped by Patrick Cote in the first round of their middleweight bout to open the televised portion of UFC 74: Respect last night from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Grove (10-4) got caught by a right hand that landed just behind his left ear during an exchange, sending the fighter tumbling backward to the canvas. Grove managed to escape a rear naked choke attempt by Cote before eventually succumbing to a series of strikes from the Canadian with 15 seconds left in the round.

Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre defeated Josh Koscheck by unanimous decision in the co-main event.

Randy Couture successfully defended the UFC heavyweight title in the main event by defeating Gabriel Gonzaga by TKO in the third round.