Melvin Manhoef Signs with Strikeforce, Also Being Considered for Lawler Fight -- MMA FanHouse MMA and kickboxing veteran Melvin Manhoef has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce. FanHouse learned of the agreement Wednesday morning. Manhoef, who most recently lost to Paulo Filho at DREAM.10 in July, will now be exclusive to Strikeforce when he fights in the United States. The deal still allows for him to compete for other organizations overseas. The Dutch fighter is also being considered as an opponent for Robbie Lawler on the upcoming Dec. 19 "Evolution" card in San Jose, Calif., but a prior fight commitment overseas may preclude him from taking the fight on short notice. FanHouse has learned that he is the organization's top choice to face Lawler, but as of Wednesday morning, no decision has been made. As reported yesterday, veteran Trevor Prangley is still in the mix to face Lawler. If he doesn't make his Strikeforce debut later this month, Manhoef is expected to fight for the organization in the first quarter of 2010. Manhoef holds a 23-6-1 MMA record and a 37-8 kickboxing record. He has only competed in one MMA fight in the United States, and that was a June 2007 loss to Dong Sik Yoon at the K-1 Dynamite!! USA show in Los Angeles. He holds notable MMA victories over Mark Hunt, Kazushi Sakuraba and Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos.
arty Great news. There have been rumours going around for a while saying he may fight Lawler in the December event. Even if he doesn't, its good to know we will see him in Strikeforce in 2010.
Strikeforce continues to grow. The fact is the UFC will never be able to afford nor want to control every fighter. There will always be too many fighters available. So many good fighters frozen out or not fighting in the US. Strikeforce will look to snap them up. Now look at the below and see what I'm seeing. Another brillant card from Strikeforce. I'm happy. Cung Le vs Scott Smith Josh Thomson vs Gilbert Melendez Ronaldo Souza vs Matt Lindland Robbie Lawler vs Melvin Manhoef Muhammed Lawal vs Mike Whitehead
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH ****ING BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UFC better start cranking up that hype machine. Looks like Strikeforce is about to put the boot in. Can you imagine what will happen when fans finally get to see a beast like Melvin?!?! Sheeeit! Im dam near lost my mind when i read this early on Bollocktalk. Ahhh today is a great day. I can go to my bed happy.
Well I read earlier now Manhoef isnt fighting Lawler on this card instead its Lawler vs Trevor Prangley which is still a solid fight.
Huge fan of Lawler, but this is a dangerous fight for him. He had better get ahold of Manhoef before he goes into "Robbie smash mode." He needs to clinch and probably takedown; even though he is probably one of the few fighters who can match Manhoefs power in a slugfest, he would likely lose that. If he is on top and slugging, he will win.
American Kickboxing Academy standout Trevor Prangley is expected to face Robbie Lawler at Strikeforce: Evolution on Dec. 19 in San Jose, Calif. Multiple MMAWeekly.com sources indicated the bout was all but signed. One source said Prangley, 37, is awaiting a bout agreement and is expected to sign as soon as Monday afternoon. Lawler was rumored to face Melvin Manhoef, a bout long campaigned for by Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, but Manhoef is committed to fight on the Dream vs. Sengoku New Years Eve event against an opponent yet to be announced. Prangley, a native South African who splits his time between San Jose and Coeur DAlene, Idaho, recently told MMAWeekly.com he planned to return to the Strikeforce cage in February. He fought last Saturday at Shark Fights 7, defeating Marcus Sursa by submission for the promotions light heavyweight championship. He is currently riding a five-fight win streak. Lawler, 27, has fought just once in 17 months, a submission loss to Jake Shields in June. Prior to that, he had amassed a five-fight win streak including a short reign as middleweight champion of the now-defunct EliteXC. Strikeforce: Evolution is slated for the HP Pavilion and will be broadcast live on Showtime. Other featured bouts include a title unification bout between champion Josh Thomson and interim titleholder Gilbert Melendez, and a middleweight slugfest pitting former champ Cung Le against Scott Smith. So people dont get to exicted for a fight that isnt happening yet.
Well, great news for Robbie. Lawler knocks Prangley's head clean off. And what a surprise, Cung Le fights yet another guy who is "tough", has "heart", and likes to "throw" so he will stand with him, but isn't an actual striker.
