Shlemenko TKOs Grove in 2nd round of Bellator 162 main event

The "Storm" came back to Bellator in full force.

Former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko returned from a suspension on Friday at Bellator 162 in Memphis, Tenn., to defeat Kendall Grove by second-round TKO in the evening's main event. Shlemenko was making his first appearance stateside in over 18 months due to a failed drug test that led to him competing in Russia in his previous two bouts.

After an entertaining first round in which both fighters found success in the stand-up, Shlemenko asserted himself in the second with a picturesque body-head combo that put Grove on his back. Shlemenko followed up with ground-and-pound to force the stoppage at the 1:43 mark of Round 2.

The 12-year vet is now 12-3 in Bellator (with one no-contest) and 54-9 overall. Post-match, Shlemenko called for the winner of an upcoming middleweight title match between Rafael Carvalho and Melvin Manhoef.

Grove sees a win streak snapped following back-to-back knockouts of Francisco France and Joey Beltran. The former "Ultimate Fighter" winner falls to 4-3 inside the Bellator cage.