Melvin Manhoef

From CageWiki

1 Profile
2 Early Career
3 K-1
4 DREAM
5 Mixed martial arts record
6 Gallery
7 External links

Profile

"Marvelous" Melvin Manhoef (born May 11, 1976) is a Dutch professional mixed martial artist and K-1 Kickboxer.

He stands 5 ft. 8 in. (173 cm) tall and fights in the middleweight division (185 lbs.).

Manhoef was the Cage Rage light heavyweight champion and K-1: Hero's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Runner-Up in 2006. He currently fights as a middleweight for DREAM.

Early Career

Melvin Manhoef made his professional mixed martial arts debut at a Battle of Amstelveen event on December 2, 1995. He knocked out his opponent, Jordy Jonkers, with a palm strike in the second round to make his debut a successful one.

Without an MMA bout for three and a half years, Manhoef returned to MMA action with a draw against Rodney Glunder which he followed with three successive TKO victories by the end of 2002.

In March, 2003, Manhoef faced PRIDE veteran, "Dirty" Bob Schrijber and suffered his first professional defeat as he was stopped with punches by Dirty Bob in 4:01 of round 1.

After two victories to rebound from his loss, Manhoef was knocked out for a second time with the opponent this time coming in the form of previous opponent, Rodney Glunder.

Manhoef got back on track to start 2005 as he made his Cage Rage debut with a TKO stoppage of Mathias Riccio in the first round.

Three more victories followed - including an avenging decision win over Schrijber - before Manhoef was given a shot at the Cage Rage light heavyweight title at Cage Rage 13 in September, 2005. Manhoef seized the oppurtunity as he knocked out Fabio Piamonte in 51 seconds to take the title.

Just under five months later, Manhoef defended his title in an absolute war with relentless Brazilian striker, Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos. The two landed vicious shots on each other for a round and a half before Manhoef came out on top, knocking Santos out with punches at 3:51 of the second frame.

K-1

Already having competed in K-1 for kickboxing, Manhoef headed over to Japan to participate K-1's MMA section, Hero's. Manhoef met PRIDE veteran, Shungo Oyama at K-1: Hero's 4 and stopped the Japanese fighter on cuts midway through the first round.

A 17 second destruction of UFC veteran, Ian Freeman to defend his Cage Rage belt followed in July of 2006 before Manhoef returned to K-1 to compete in their light heavyweight tournament.

Manhoef faced Crosley Gracie in the opening round at Hero's 6 and stopped the talented grappler with punches at 9:12 of the first round.

In October, 2006, Manhoef squared off against Oyama in a rematch in the semi finals. Manhoef removed any doubt as he progressed to the finals with a 1:04 TKO demolition.

Later that night in the final, Manhoef faced Japanese/Korean superstar, Yoshihiro Akiyama. Manhoef's ground game proved to be his undoing again as he was submitted with an armbar by the talented Judoka in 1:58 of round 1.

Manhoef softed the loss five months later as he demolished Kazuo Takahashi with punches. He would face defeat again in his next bout however as he was submitted by another highly decorated Judo practioner in Dong Sik Yoon at Hero's US debut.

Manhoef put the losses behind him to close out 2007 with three impressive first round knockout victories over Bernard Ackah, Fabio Silva and Yosuke Nishijima.

DREAM

K-1's Hero's franchise was replaced in 2008 by DREAM - a promotion formed in conjunction with former PRIDE Fighting Championships staff. Manhoef made his debut for the promotion at DREAM 3 in an alternate bout for their Middleweight Grand Prix. He faced Korean, Dae Won Kim and after some early trouble gained top position and pounded him out.

Fortune favored Manhoef as Japanese legend, Kiyoshi Tamura was forced out of the tournament due to injury thus allowing Manhoef to fill in his place. At DREAM 4, Manhoef met another Japanese legend in Kazushi Sakuraba for a spot in the tournament's semi-finals. The two fighters circled for a minute to begin the bout before Manhoef ferociously unloaded on Sakuraba. Manhoef dropped the legend with a high kick before dragging him away from the ropes and belting him with huge punches on the ground forcing the stoppage.

In the semis, Manhoef faced PRIDE veteran, Gegard Mousasi. Mousasi played the fight smart and scored an early takedown. Manhoef desperately tried to escape to his feet but was caught in a triangle choke. He attempted to slam his way out but Mousasi held on to get the tap and the victory.

On New Year's Eve, 2008, at DREAM/K-1's year-end show, Manhoef filled in on short notice for Jerome LeBanner against iron-chinned Samoan, Mark Hunt. With a weight difference of more than a hundred pounds in favor of Hunt, Manhoef was given little chance against the former K-1 World Grand Prix champion. Manhoef surprised everyone though as he did what many thought was undoable as he knocked Hunt out cold with punches in just 18 seconds.

Manhoef will return to MMA action at DREAM 10 on July 20, 2009 when he faces former WEC middleweight champion and PRIDE star, Paulo Filho.