The Past and Future 07.16.09: Melvin Manhoef

Posted by Robert Steele on 07.16.2009

A look at Melvin Manhoef’s career in MMA. A highlight look at his past fights, plus a look at his upcoming fight against Paulo Filho, and what possible fights he may have before his retirement.



The Past

Melvin Manhoef, born in Suriname, moved to Rotterdam, Netherlands when he was three. He took up soccer at a young age with some success, but his career aspirations were changed when he injured his leg. He began taking Muay Thai classes with his brother at age 18, leading soon after to his career in kickboxing and MMA.

I will gloss over some of his kickboxing career, instead focusing more closely on MMA. It should be noted that Manhoef is an active fighter, fighting several times during a given year, moving back and forth between kickboxing and MMA.

After established success kickboxing, Manhoef on the suggestion of his trainer did an MMA fight. In 1995 he made his MMA debut and won by beating Jordy Jonkers. Although he won, he wasn't impressed enough with his performance, and didn't fight again in MMA until four years later.

He continued kickboxing, doing the occasional MMA fight. But the big turning point in terms of both his career and his personal life was his 2002 kickboxing loss to Remy Bonjasky.

Round 1

Bonjasky scored an early knockdown due to Manhoef stumbling after being struck with an awkward looking punch. Manhoef wasn't afraid to get back into it, and he came at Bonjasky, working well inside with some body punches and uppercuts. Bonjasky clinched and hit Manhoef with some big knees to the body. They broke and Bonjasky came at Manhoef with a flurry. Manhoef stayed loose and allowed Bonjasky to tire out before he threw a counter punch, knocking Bonjasky to the canvas. Manhoef worked some punch combos to the body and head to end the round.

Round 2

Bonjasky threw Manhoef within the clinch, but couldn't get any striking offence. Manhoef worked more combos. Bonjasky clinched again, this time connecting with a few knees to the body. It was a fairly even round.

Round 3

Manhoef got an early knockdown after catching Bonjasky's leg and throwing a quick low kick. It was not counted due to the sweep. Both fighters went all out, with Manhoef throwing combination punches and a few leg kicks, and Bonjasky pursuing with mostly knees. Manhoef took some solid knees to the chin, eventually causing a deciding knockdown. The fight then went to the scorecards, declaring Bonjasky the victor by unanimous decision.

Manhoef has said in interviews that after watching news highlights of the fight from within jail, he changed his attitude and became more serious and focused about training for fights and staying out of trouble. He realized that if he could go the distance with a world class fighter like Bonjasky, he had a chance at a great career.

With more dedication, Manhoef's MMA career started rolling, and in the fall of 2005 he was given an opportunity to fight for the vacant Cage Rage Light-heavyweight title against Fabio Piamonte.

Manhoef opened with a good left hook. Piamonte attempted a takedown, but Manhoef hooked the leg for a sweep and ended up on top of Fabio. With Fabio in half-guard blocking, Manhoef did not want to be on the ground, so he stood. He threw Fabio against the cage and began connecting punches. Fabio created space and made use of some leg kicks. After some more vicious punches from Manhoef, Piamonte collapsed for the 51 second KO. The KO seemed more due to a compact period of attrition than any single punch.

His following fight to defend the title against Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos was one of the greatest fights to date inside the UK, and a fight that got Manhoef recognized by promoters as an exciting MMA fighter.

Round 1

Santos had some good leg kicks to keep Manhoef at bay for a bit. It didn't last too long, and soon they began to trade punches, albeit carefully. Manhoef worked some leg kicks of his own, setting up a big left hook. Santos came at Manhoef with a weak and unsuccessful takedown attempt. Manhoef threw a punch to the head and a quick low kick which caused Santos to stand still for a moment, oddly. Manhoef again went to the head followed by a leg kick. Then came another flurry to the head followed by a knee. He then held Santos against the cage. Santos transitioned, then held Manhoef to the cage. A reset and both fighters traded punches in a reckless flurry. After the exchange, Manhoef looked a bit stronger and Santos appeared a bit sluggish, dropping his arms. Santos tried a spinning back kick which glanced off of Manhoef. Santos managed a single-leg takedown. Santos grabbed Manhoef's leg attempting a heel hook submission, but it was too near the end of the round.

Round 2

Manhoef scored a kick to the body, Santos grabbed the leg, but couldn't hold on. To stop Manhoef's attack, Santos grabbed Manhoef and held him to the cage. Manhoef moved from the cage and broke the clinch with a couple head shots. Manhoef pushed forward throwing left and right hooks continuously. One seemed to catch Santos pretty good, but he remained standing. Santos threw some combination punches which were blocked, then clinched and gave some Muay Thai knees, some landing clean to the body. A big left hook thrown by Santos connected. Manhoef looked a little weak after it. Santos worked some more knees with Manhoef pinned to the cage. Manhoef looked knocked out on his feet as he stumbled around the cage with his arms limp at his sides. Santos, however, looked like he punched himself out. They both stood and looked at each other for a moment, both with only a bit left in the tank. Then they came at each other, throwing bombs with everything they had left, most punches missing. Manhoef threw a big head kick, missing. Both fighters punched simultaneously, with only Manhoef connecting. He followed it with a big left hook and a right. The ref ran in to stop the fight with both fighters down. Manhoef had absolutely nothing left, but got the win.

Manhoef wasted no time after the gruelling battle with Cyborg. A month later he debuted with Hero's against Shungo Oyama.

It began with plenty of circling until Manhoef threw a head kick which missed. Both fighters were careful early. They clinched and Oyama pushed Manhoef to the ropes and held him. Manhoef collapsed on top of Oyama and got a couple punches in before they stood back up. While standing, Manhoef landed some more, along with a not-too-heavy head kick and a knee to the body. After the flurry, Oyama was busted open over the eye. The ref broke the fighters to have the cut inspected. They continued. Another flurry by Manhoef caused Oyama to stumble and slip. Manhoef was full-on attack, swinging hard with his fists to KO Oyama. Oyama went to the canvass. The ref had the cut looked at again, and Manhoef was immediately given the win via a TKO due to Oyama's eye.

Manhoef then returned to Cage Rage -- for his final fight with the company -- which ended in a bang. Here's a look at Manhoef's quick KO victory over Ian Freeman in his parting fight with Cage Rage.



He followed the fight with a win over Crosley Gracie, then had a rematch with Oyama in the Light-heavyweight Grand Prix.

After some dancing, Oyama charged and missed. After some more dancing, Oyama attempted a spinning back-fist and missed. Oyama went for a single leg take down and couldn't get it. From there, Manhoef went on the offensive with an insane flurry. He managed to get Oyama against the ropes and connect a head kick. Then another kick struck Oyama both on the front of the head, and on the back of the head during recoil. Oyama scurried in retreat and a big punch from Manhoef knocked him to the ground.

With the win, Manhoef advanced to the Grand Prix final against Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Akiyama missed a spin kick early, Manhoef followed it up with an attack, causing Akiyama to scramble. Manhoef combination punches and kicks to press Akiyama. He tossed Akiyama, but Akiyama reversed it mid-air to end up on top. Back standing Akiyama held Manhoef in the corner. Manhoef grabbed Akiyama from under his leg attempting a slam, Akiyama again reversed the slam and sunk in an armbar to defeat Manhoef.

After a bit of a layoff, he retuned to beat Yoshiki Takahashi and a few months later he fought Dong Sik Yoon at the Hero's - EiteXC event K-1 Dynamite!! USA.

Round 1

Manhoef got an early leg kick to head punch combination early, knocking down Yoon in the process. Manhoef continued with some ground and pound, bringing the fight close to stoppage. Yoon weathered the blows and got back to stand-up. Manhoef connected with a couple of punches to Yoon's head, then a head kick. The head kick caused Manhoef to fall awkwardly, nearly through the ropes. Yoon seized the opportunity by grabbing a hold of Manhoef by the waist. Manhoef made good use of the ropes, hiding his clutched hand from view of the ref. The fighters went to the ground with Manhoef on top. Yoon locked up Manhoef's right arm and closed guard. Yoon tried to go for an arm bar, but couldn't get it. Manhoef countered by raining some downward blows to the head. Yoon stood. He grabbed Manhoef and held him into the corner. Yoon tossed Manhoef -- using some of Manhoef's own momentum -- and landed on top of him in side control. He found full mount and utilized the opportunity landing some punches on Manhoef. Yoon attempted a Kimura, to no avail. Yoon then worked more punches and attempted an armbar, which Manhoef was able to escape. Manhoef got to his feet and got in some punches and knees to the head of Yoon. Yoon grabbed a leg, causing Manhoef to fall through the ropes. The ref reset the fighters. Yoon lunged at Manhoef and missed to end the round.

Round 2

Manhoef missed an early knee in the round, and Yoon countered, pinning Manhoef to the ropes. Manhoef threw some knees while clinched, but Yoon ended up on top. Yoon found full mount and threw punches. Manhoef gave up his back. With Yoon high on the back he grabbed a hold of Manhoef's back and flipped him, sinking in an armbar for the victory.

He had an impressive underdog kickboxing win over Ruslan Karev following his MMA loss to Yoon, beating Karev with a straight right, left hook combination in just over 30 seconds. He followed this up with an MMA win over explosive fighter Bernard Ackah.

Ackah charged early. He held Manhoef's arms while standing. Manhoef tried to break free with some knees, but could not get his arms loose. Ackah pinned Manhoef into the corner briefly. Manhoef slammed down Ackah, but could not pin him down on the mat. While back standing Ackah missed a big and looping head kick. Manhoef countered Ackah's strikes, then grabbed him to clinch. The ref broke the fighters and reset them in the middle of the ring. Manhoef punched and tossed Ackah into the ropes. Ackah looked disoriented, but managed to get to his feet. Both fighters traded one big haymaker each, but neither connecting flush. After a long clinch the fighters were reset again. Manhoef ducked a head punch and countered with one of his own, knocking down Ackah. With Mahhoef attempting to pounce, Ackah got back to his feet while being held. Manhoef released his grasp and let loose a right and left combination, connecting with three good punches for the KO.

A couple months later he continued his streak with a win over Fabio Silva. Here's a look at the fight; it includes some of the most interesting pre-fight material I've ever seen.



He continued the run and beat Yosuke Nishjima, then fought Dae Won Kim at Dream 3.

Kim clinched and struggled to haul down Manhoef, but couldn't secure anything. He held Manhoef against the ropes until the ref broke the fighters. Manhoef connected with a hook, but Kim threw a bigger one right back. Manhoef stumbled as Kim threw punches, not connecting with anything. Kim grabbed hold of Manhoef and got a takedown. Kim worked from the side, but fell into Manhoef's guard. Manhoef rolled and stood back up. Manhoef managed to get on top of Kim -- possibly a deliberate attempt by Kim to pull guard. Manhoef then found the side and worked ground and pound to get the stoppage.

He fought as a replacement in the 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal against Kazushi Sakuraba.

Despite Sakuraba's careful approach, holding his forearm over his head, he could not avoid Manhoef's early head kick. He followed it up with some vicious ground and pound with from the side and the fight looked close to stoppage. Manhoef adjusted and pulled Sakuraba's legs and worked from a high position, then moved to the side with a mix of downward straight punches and hammerfists. After a series of clean hammerfists, the ref was forced to stop the fight.

In the semi-finals, Manhoef lost to Mousasi, who would go on to win the tournament.

An early leg kick by Mousasi opened the fight. Mousasi attempted a takedown, but Manhoef blocked it by leaning into the ropes. Both struggled from the clinch to gain the top as they fell to the mat. Mousasi ended up on top. Mousasi found Manhoef's back. Manhoef rotated with pure strength, back and forth to his back and stomach and eventually gained top position on Mousasi, only to fall into a triangle. Manhoef stood up, lifting Mousasi vertical. Manhoef slammed Mousasi down hard, but this only helped Mousasi sink the triangle in deeper to win by submission.

In his last MMA fight, on short notice, Manhoef fought oversized Mark Hunt, earning a knockout like his earlier win over Ian Freeman.

Manhoef retreated from Hunt's early attack. While in retreat Manhoef landed some counter punches, knocking out Hunt. He continued assaulting him on the ground until the ref managed to step in and stop the fight. The KO took Manhoef only 18 seconds.

The Future

Manhoef is scheduled to fight former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho at DREAM 10 next week. It is set to be a classic clash of styles.

Although he has strong and effective kicks, most of Manhoef's dangerous power comes from his fists. He uses good leg kicks to set-up punch combinations. Manhoef throws KO bombs with a big left hook, and he does so often; unlike most fighters who reserve the hook, Manhoef throws it like it's a jab. He often comes with a full-out attack of left, right, left crosses.

Manhoef's compact power is shown in how his opponents retreat from it. For the most part, Manhoef isn't quick to rush for an early KO. The KO victories over Freeman and Hunt were counter attacks. Manhoef will usually feel his opponents out and look for an opening -- a weak defence, a dazed fighter, or even a stumble. When he finds it, however, he usually isn't satisfied with a single counter-punch. Something switches on and it's like a kind of berserker mode. He is relentless in his attack and can sustain throwing power punches for a significant period of time. While this has opened him up to being taken down on occasion, in MMA the relentless attack does not open him up for too much stand-up weakness. This is primarily because a lot of his opponents retreat from the bombs, hoping to weather them.

His ground work is very susceptible to submission. Manhoef has stated that it has gotten better, but he has also indicated in the past that he is a fighter who -- unlike some strikers -- is more interested in preventing fights from going to the ground entirely, as opposed to being a strong striker who is capable on the ground defensively.



Manhoef has indicated his goals of being a champion in Japan. As mentioned earlier, he seems to prefer an active career, but as he ages he may look for less fights per year. He is equally committed to both MMA and kickboxing and may not be interested in any North American lifestyle changes.

Filho is coming off a long hiatus involving depression and abusing prescription medicines. He pulled out of a title defence against Chael Sonnen in March of 2008 due to these issues. To beat Manhoef, as with any fight, he will need to be 100% focused.

Filho has indicated that he has no intention of standing with Manhoef. In an interview with Tatame he said, "Melvin likes striking, so my strategy is to wait [for] him come, grab him and see what happens." Manhoef's style is not a question; he will no doubt be looking to KO Filho.

Filho is the more rounded fighter. He has a more capable stand-up game than does Manhoef have a ground game. Still Manhoef's stand-up is far and away better, and in the past he has often had the ability to keep fights standing.

As is often the case with these type of match-ups, takedown offence versus takedown defence is the key. While Filho can move opponents around the ring, his takedown offence seems more focused on picking up opponents for slams. He will find difficulty doing this against a pitbull like Manhoef.

Others have found successful takedowns against Manhoef by using Manhoef's own charging momentum against him, such as his fight with Akiyama. Manhoef has said he has learned from his mistakes in the fight against Akiyama. If this is true, he will be careful when in close and may try to use more leg kicks than usual and create space until he finds an opening.

Manhoef has an intense routine with one day rest training with head trainer Mike Passenier. He trains with his friend and fellow fighter Badr Hari. And Manhoef has also more recently trained with American Top Team and has expressed interest in doing more of it.

The issue of retirement has been brought up in the past, but now he seems to be looking to put in a few more good years.

As for future fights, in an interview with fiveouncesofpain.com he has mentioned a dream match-up against Wanderlei Silva and a rematch against Gegard Mousasi.

A fight with Silva seems far out of reach at the moment since Manhoef is not looking to move to the US for the time being. In the event it happens it would be an exciting fight to see, especially with Silva moving down in weight.

A rematch with Mousasi is more likely. Manhoef would doubtfully fall victim to the triangle again, but he would need to develop a cautious game plan for any future fights with the crafty Mousasi. The previous fight, as well as a few others, have exposed Manhoef's inability to find a good position during a clinch takedown.

In the end, as MMA has changed, Manhoef is one of the few remaining successful examples of a skilled striker with brute strength and very little ground game. Still, he has thus far found much success being this type of fighter. To be a big promotion champion, however, he may need to solve some of these weaknesses.

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