Melvin Manhoef vs Robbie Lawler in work

Simon Rutz, Manhoef’s manager, said his client's schedule ruled out an appearance on the spring/summer cards. Manhoef’s next commitment was a possible appearance in a K-1 fight against Gohkan Saki on March 28 in Japan, followed by a Showtime-broadcast fight at the Amsterdam Arena against Stephan Leko on May 16.

Rutz was open to an offer from Strikeforce, but the numbers would have to be right.

“Melvin is one and a half years into three-year contract (with K-1),” said Rutz. “But I have some escape clauses in the contract. Maybe I could do something. But one thing is for sure: he earns a lot of money in Japan, and the problem in the United States, is that you must pay a lot of tax there.”

Source : MMA Weekly

 

Lawler is just flat out outmatched on his feet, and will get almost certainly KO'd if he doesn't take Manhoef down.

That being said, where is this "Melvin has good wrestlng" coming from? Manhoef doesn't even have mediocre wrestling. Mousassi took him down in 30 seconds and had his back in under a minute.

So yes, on one hand his loses have been against good Judo or submission guys; but pretty much everybody who tries to take him down succedes; even though he did beat Dae Won Kim, Kim took him down and had him in side mount 2 minutes in.

It is still a scary fight as a Lawler fan though; he isn't exactly known for his discipline and gameplans, although they have gotten much better since his UFC days.

 

I used a poor choice of words as for wrestling but his sprawl is good.
He knows how to get the under hooks from a sprawl or even from the ground and he can hold it until he gets up to his feet.He also knows how to transition from striking to grappling avoiding under hooks from his opponents.

like below

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this fight is good but lawler seems to start slow where melvin dosnt. manhoef also can get sloppy in his casing the ko that could cost him against a good south paw. im picking lawler by ko in the first off a counter shot

 

Robbie Lawler was knocked out by Nick Diaz... He gets slaughtered by Manhoef. Lawler is good but nowhere near Manhoef's level. If he goes for a takedown it better be from a bodylock and get underhooks cause if he shoots Melvin can catch him coming in.

 

I dont get this matchup. What are they trying to do to Lawler? Manhoef is not known by casual MMA fans and they will ****in see this guy demolish a known and semi popular champ. MAkes no sense.

 

Look I love Lawler but Silva will beat him from pillar to post. Silva/Manhoef thats a stand up war Id like to see.

 

It would be exciting but I don't think silva would stand too long; he has a real chance of losing on the feet, although I think his reach and no limits on clinching would help; but he is worlds better on the ground.

Preempting the Manhoef fans who will say Silva is "afraid"; Manhoef took down Nishijima after saying how nobody is willing to stand with him. He wasn't afraid, he is just reasonable.