Tag: Melvin Manhoef

Our Prediction…Pain: Bellator Signs Melvin Manhoef (!) and Re-Signs Paul Daley


(Nope. Still terrified. Photo via Dorian Szücs/Groundandpound)

Now that Scott Coker is runnings things over at Bellator, it was only a matter of time before he started recruiting some of his old Strikeforce cronies over to help bolster the promotion’s somewhat lacking roster, and his first two signings are sure to deliver in the excitement department.

Today brings news that Bellator has signed kickboxer/MMA fighter/eater of worlds Melvin Manhoef and resigned Paul Daley to their roster. Presumably *not* to fight each other, for that would most certainly result in a black hole being ripped in the universe once their fists collided. In MMA competition alone, these two hard hitters have amassed over 50 knockouts between them, including particularly devastating KOs of Mark Hunt, Scott Smith, Dustin Hazelett, and Ian Freeman. Manhoef and Daley are fresh off knockout victories over Evangelista Santos and Romario Manoel da Silva, respectively.

As you might recall, Daley was axed from Bellator last July as a result of ongoing legal troubles and visa issues.”Semtex”, however, has assured us that both of those issues are now behind him, for the most part:

I don’t have the visa yet. But the charges that were against me and the problems I had with obtaining the visa, they weren’t major things. So I’ve spoken with the guys at Bellator, told them what was what, and they’re confident, the legal team is confident that this visa issue is not going to be a problem.


(Nope. Still terrified. Photo via Dorian Szücs/Groundandpound)

Now that Scott Coker is runnings things over at Bellator, it was only a matter of time before he started recruiting some of his old Strikeforce cronies over to help bolster the promotion’s somewhat lacking roster, and his first two signings are sure to deliver in the excitement department.

Today brings news that Bellator has signed kickboxer/MMA fighter/eater of worlds Melvin Manhoef and resigned Paul Daley to their roster. Presumably *not* to fight each other, for that would most certainly result in a black hole being ripped in the universe once their fists collided. In MMA competition alone, these two hard hitters have amassed over 50 knockouts between them, including particularly devastating KOs of Mark Hunt, Scott Smith, Dustin Hazelett, and Ian Freeman. Manhoef and Daley are fresh off knockout victories over Evangelista Santos and Romario Manoel da Silva, respectively.

As you might recall, Daley was axed from Bellator last July as a result of ongoing legal troubles and visa issues.”Semtex”, however, has assured us that both of those issues are now behind him, for the most part:

I don’t have the visa yet. But the charges that were against me and the problems I had with obtaining the visa, they weren’t major things. So I’ve spoken with the guys at Bellator, told them what was what, and they’re confident, the legal team is confident that this visa issue is not going to be a problem.

Daley’s previous Bellator appearance saw him score a first round TKO over Rudy Bears at Bellator 72. His last three Strikeforce appearances, however, did not go quite as smoothly — Daley was TKO’d by Nick Diaz in one of the greatest one-round fights of all time, then dropped decisions to Tyron Woodley and Kazuo Misaki. Another fun fact about Daley: He was a cast member of the 1987 film Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. The power of Wikipedia, ladies and gents.

Manhoef competed twice under the Bellator banner, with equally underwhelming results. His first appearance at Strikeforce: Miami saw him turn Robbie Lawler‘s leg into fish food, then somehow get KTFO’d in the first round. His second saw him drop a first round submission to Tim Kennedy. To my knowledge, Manhoef does not appear in the 1987 classic Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. 

I will now place the video of Manhoef vs. Lawler below, because it is undeniably awesome.

So yeah, Manhoef and Daley haven’t exactly thrived against upper-level competition in recent years, but they are two consistently entertaining fighters who could really push Bellator’s freakshow dynamic in the right direction given the right opponents. And that is something that we’re totally fine with.

Anyone you’d like to see Daley and Manhoef face off against first, Nation?

–J. Jones

So There Were Some Pretty Brutal Knockouts at Glory 17: Los Angeles This Past Weekend [w/GIFS]


(All gifs courtesy of Zombie Prophet.)

Last Saturday marked an increasingly rare occasion for the fight fan attempting to have an honest to God social life, with the UFC taking a much needed break ahead of this weekend’s Fight Night doubleheader. That is not to say there wasn’t plenty of fight action to be witnessed — both the World Series of Fighting and Glory kickboxing held events in California over the weekend — but were any of you honestly on pins and needles to watch the former’s middleweight title fight between David Branch and Jesse Taylor, or the latter’s rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Jarrell Miller? Thought so.

Had you turned into Glory 17, however, you would have not only witnessed the former PRIDE killer and prankster extraordinaire score a unanimous decision victory over Miller, but a bevy of blistering knockouts as well. The quickest KO of the night went to Glory 12 lightweight tournament winner Andy Ristie in his preliminary tilt against Ky Hollenbeck, the man Ristie was supposed to face for the inaugural Glory lightweight belt at Glory 14 before an injury forced Davit Kiria to step in and eventually defeat Ristie via last second, come-from-behind KO.

It took Ristie just 35 seconds to flatten Hollenbeck with his trademark left hook, which you can check out in gif form above courtesy of Zombie Prophet. After the jump: Gifs of the night’s other, more violent finishes and complete Glory 17 results.


(All gifs courtesy of Zombie Prophet.)

Last Saturday marked an increasingly rare occasion for the fight fan attempting to have an honest to God social life, with the UFC taking a much needed break ahead of this weekend’s Fight Night doubleheader. That is not to say there wasn’t plenty of fight action to be witnessed — both the World Series of Fighting and Glory kickboxing held events in California over the weekend — but were any of you honestly on pins and needles to watch the former’s middleweight title fight between David Branch and Jesse Taylor, or the latter’s rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Jarrell Miller? Thought so.

Had you turned into Glory 17, however, you would have not only witnessed the former PRIDE killer and prankster extraordinaire score a unanimous decision victory over Miller, but a bevy of blistering knockouts as well. The quickest KO of the night went to Glory 12 lightweight tournament winner Andy Ristie in his preliminary tilt against Ky Hollenbeck, the man Ristie was supposed to face for the inaugural Glory lightweight belt at Glory 14 before an injury forced Davit Kiria to step in and eventually defeat Ristie via last second, come-from-behind KO.

It took Ristie just 35 seconds to flatten Hollenbeck with his trademark left hook, which you can check out in gif form above courtesy of Zombie Prophet. After the jump: Gifs of the night’s other, more violent finishes and complete Glory 17 results.

The middleweight tournament quarterfinal bout between Joe Schilling and Simon Marcus was easily one the evening’s most entertaining bouts, both going to a sudden death fourth round and ending in a falling tree KO that was nearly a double KO when Schilling and Marcus landed simultaneous right hands. It was Schilling’s right hook that won the day over Marcus’ right straight, securing him a spot in semifinals against the man who would score a devastating counter punch KO of his own in the very next fight of the night…

Yep, that’s Romania’s Bogdan Stoica going full Arlovski vs. Fedor on American Wayne Barrett in their quarterfinal fight and achieving the exact same results. Yowza. I’m just saying, unless you possess the hops of Chris Beal, maybe set that flying knee up with something rather than leap into it from halfway across the ring. I’m not even here. (*backs slowly out of room*)

Aside from Saturday’s epic middleweight tournament, Glory 17 also saw the crowning of a new heavyweight and welterweight champion, as well as the return of Melvin Manhoef to the squared circle, so check out the complete Glory 17 results below.

Glory “Last man Standing” Middleweight Tournament Results:

-Tournament Final: Levin def Schilling via unanimous dec (29-26, 29-26, 29-26) new Middleweight champion
-Semi final: Levin def Verlinden via unanimous dec (30-27 x 3)
-Semi final: Schilling def Barrett via split dec (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
-Artem Levin def Alex Pereira via unanimous dec (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Joe Schilling def. Simon Marcus via KO in extra round 2:41
-Wayne Barrett def Bogdan Stoica via KO RD 3 0:58
Filip Verlinden def Melvin Manhoef via unanimous dec (30-27, 30-27, 28-28)

Other results:
-Heavyweight championship: Rico Verhoeven def Daniel Ghita via unanimous dec (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
-Welterweight championship: Joseph Valtellini def Marc de Bonte via unanimous dec (47-46 x 3)
-Mirko Filipovic def Jarrell MIller via unanimous dec (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
-Andy Ristie def Ky Hollenbeck via KO Rd 1 0:35
-Featherweight tournament final: Varga def Oblonsky via unanimous dec (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
-Gabriel Varga def Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai via unanimous dec (30-27 x 3)
-Shane Oblonsky def Marcus Vinicius via unanimous dec (29-26)

–J. Jones

And Now He’s Retired: Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos Calls It Quits After Quick TKO Loss to Melvin Manhoef in Rematch

(Santos vs. Manhoef II via João Baptista.)

With an MMA career spanning back 17 years (!) and some 35 (sanctioned) fights, Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos has practically done it all. He’s fought under the Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Jungle Fight, Sengoku, and PRIDE banners. He’s competed in Pancrase, fought in a handful of the legendary Vale Tudo matches, and was one of the founding members of Chute Box, the notoriously brutal Brazilian camp of lore. On his resume you will find such recognizable names as Jose Landi-Jons, Mauricio Rua, Nick Diaz, Melvin Manhoef, Yuki Kondo…we could go on.

A fierce striker with an entertainment over all else approach to the sport, “Cyborg” has and always will represent the “old age” of MMA. He was a “fighter’s fighter” if you will, which makes his decision to step away from the sport on his own accord all the more impressive (looking at you, Big Nog). Speaking with Portal do Vale Tudo on Wednesday, Santos stated that his decision to retire was at least partially influenced by the unfavorable treatment he felt he was receiving from the Gringo Fight promotion, where he was last defeated by Melvin Manhoef in their rematch at Gringo Super Fight 10. However, at just 4-6 in his past 10 fights, it’s hard to disagree with Santos’ decision.

We hope retirement treats you well, Cyborg. Lord knows you’ve earned it.
(*raises chalice* *nods*)

Join us after the jump to once again relive Santos’ 2006 Cage Rage war with Manhoef, then pay your respects to a true legend of the game in the comments section.


(Santos vs. Manhoef II via João Baptista.)

With an MMA career spanning back 17 years (!) and some 35 (sanctioned) fights, Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos has practically done it all. He’s fought under the Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Jungle Fight, Sengoku, and PRIDE banners. He’s competed in Pancrase, fought in a handful of the legendary Vale Tudo matches, and was one of the founding members of Chute Box, the notoriously brutal Brazilian camp of lore. On his resume you will find such recognizable names as Jose Landi-Jons, Mauricio Rua, Nick Diaz, Melvin Manhoef, Yuki Kondo…we could go on.

A fierce striker with an entertainment over all else approach to the sport, “Cyborg” has and always will represent the “old age” of MMA. He was a “fighter’s fighter” if you will, which makes his decision to step away from the sport on his own accord all the more impressive (looking at you, Big Nog). Speaking with Portal do Vale Tudo on Wednesday, Santos stated that his decision to retire was at least partially influenced by the unfavorable treatment he felt he was receiving from the Gringo Fight promotion, where he was last defeated by Melvin Manhoef in their rematch at Gringo Super Fight 10. However, at just 4-6 in his past 10 fights, it’s hard to disagree with Santos’ decision.

We hope retirement treats you well, Cyborg. Lord knows you’ve earned it.
(*raises chalice* *nods*)

Join us after the jump to once again relive Santos’ 2006 Cage Rage war with Manhoef, then pay your respects to a true legend of the game in the comments section.

–J. Jones

Wednesday Links: Tito Ortiz Gets Probation for DUI, Lawler vs. Ellenberger Subject to Enhanced Drug Testing, Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos + More


(Gervinho: The lovechild of Tyra Banks and Klingon Worf. Check out more awful soccer hairstyles at HolyTaco.com.)

Some must-see content from our friends and partners. Worth your clicks, or your money back…

Musing on Jon Jones’ Greatness: The Martial Arts of a Middle Child (BloodyElbow)

Tito Ortiz Pleads No-Contest to DUI, Gets Probation and Fines (MMAJunkie)

Robbie Lawler, Jake Ellenberger to Undergo Enhanced Drug Testing Program Ahead of UFC 173 (ESPN)

Video: Watch Melvin Manhoef Knock Out Cyborg Santos at Their Gringo Super Fight Rematch (MMAMania)

The Details of Alexander Gustaffson’s Past Are Coming Out, And Boy Are They Ugly (RedditMMA)

Chuck Liddell’s Latest Duralast Commercial Is Even More Ridiculous Than the Last One (MMAConvert)

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44 Celebs and Their Porn Star Counterparts (Ranker)

Vanity License Plates that Scream “I’m a Douche Bag” (EveryJoe)

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Not My Best Day #6: In Which Georgie Gets Dumped And Doesn’t Take It Too Well (PopHangover)

21 Women Who Immediately Regretted Their Tramp Stamp (Guyism)

Soundtrack Studies: ‘Judgment Night’ (ScreenJunkies)

The 5 Most Controversial Comic Book Heroes (DoubleViking)

Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos. Trust Me. (YouTube)


(Gervinho: The lovechild of Tyra Banks and Klingon Worf. Check out more awful soccer hairstyles at HolyTaco.com.)

Some must-see content from our friends and partners. Worth your clicks, or your money back…

Musing on Jon Jones’ Greatness: The Martial Arts of a Middle Child (BloodyElbow)

Tito Ortiz Pleads No-Contest to DUI, Gets Probation and Fines (MMAJunkie)

Robbie Lawler, Jake Ellenberger to Undergo Enhanced Drug Testing Program Ahead of UFC 173 (ESPN)

Video: Watch Melvin Manhoef Knock Out Cyborg Santos at Their Gringo Super Fight Rematch (MMAMania)

The Details of Alexander Gustaffson’s Past Are Coming Out, And Boy Are They Ugly (RedditMMA)

Chuck Liddell’s Latest Duralast Commercial Is Even More Ridiculous Than the Last One (MMAConvert)

How to Comment on Video Game Websites: A Flowchart (GameFront)

44 Celebs and Their Porn Star Counterparts (Ranker)

Vanity License Plates that Scream “I’m a Douche Bag” (EveryJoe)

25 Albums Every Man Should Own (MadeMan)

Not My Best Day #6: In Which Georgie Gets Dumped And Doesn’t Take It Too Well (PopHangover)

21 Women Who Immediately Regretted Their Tramp Stamp (Guyism)

Soundtrack Studies: ‘Judgment Night’ (ScreenJunkies)

The 5 Most Controversial Comic Book Heroes (DoubleViking)

Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos. Trust Me. (YouTube)

VIDEO: Melvin Manhoef Scores Brutal TKO over ‘Cyborg’ in Rematch

K-1, Dream and Strikeforce veteran Melvin Manhoef successfully captured the inaugural Gringo Super Fight welterweight title when he stopped Evangelista Santos with strikes early in the main event of the evening on Sunday night. 
Unlike their first…

K-1, Dream and Strikeforce veteran Melvin Manhoef successfully captured the inaugural Gringo Super Fight welterweight title when he stopped Evangelista Santos with strikes early in the main event of the evening on Sunday night. 

Unlike their first encounter under the Cage Rage banner back in February of 2006, a back-and-forth slugfest, “No Mercy” quickly dropped Santos with a knee and finished him with hard punches. 

According to MMA Fighting, “Cyborg” contested the stoppage, stating the knee that dropped him was illegal, but Manhoef disagreed. 

“I don’t know why (he protested), but I believe the knee was legal,” Manhoef said. “I’m okay to rematch him again.”

A screencap from when the knee landed seems to show that the strike in question was indeed by the book. 

While Manhoef is just 1-2 in his past three matchups, he is 4-2 in his last six matchups, and three of those victories came via knockout. 

Santos, a former Strikeforce title challenger, drops to just 1-3 in his last four fights and hasn’t won consecutive fights since 2010. 

Shortly after the contest ended, ex-WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho unexpectedly entered the cage and challenged Manhoef to another rematch with the belt on the line. 

That title bout is expected to take place sometime in November. Filho won their July 2009 contest with an armbar midway through the first round.

Once considered one of the pound-for-pound greats in the sport, the Brazilian submission specialist is now a once seemingly unfathomable 1-4-2 in his past seven fights. 

While the 37-year-old Manhoef may never fight inside the Octagon, he remains one of the most entertaining strikers outside of the world’s premiere mixed martial arts organization. 

 

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Melvin Manhoef vs. Cyborg Santos II Has Been Booked, So Let’s Celebrate By Watching Their First Slugfest [VIDEO]

Melvin Manhoef is so explosive that his leg kicks destroy everything including Melvin Manhoef. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos is such a fearless badass that he willingly and repeatedly stuck his Elmer Fudd in Cristiane Justino‘s rabbit hole (do not click this link to confirm). So obviously, when these two met at Cage Rage 15 back in 2006 with Manhoef’s light heavyweight title on the line, the result was every bit the epic slugfest that fans had predicted it would be.

For nearly ten minutes, Manhoef and Santos traded heavy leather and heavier kicks and knees, leaving both men gasping for air before the second round even got under way. It wasn’t until a flurry by an exhausted Manhoef finally found its mark that Santos was defeated, marking an insane fight in the Cage Rage books and a ridiculously improbable comeback win for Manhoef.

And now, the two are set to do battle once again (*BRAAAAHM*). MMAFighting is reporting that Santos and Manhoef have agreed to meet in a welterweight contest on April 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fight will not only serve as Manhoef’s debut at 170 lbs, but as a title match for the vacant Gringo Super Fight welterweight belt. A prestigious achievement if there ever was one.

Although both guys have fallen on harder times since their original battle — Cyborg has gone 7-7 since and Manhoef 15-9 — there’s simply no way that this fight will leave a bad taste in the mouths of those who have witnessed the mayhem depicted above. I can only pray that we will be able to say the same about Shogun vs. Hendo II come March 24th.

–J. Jones

Melvin Manhoef is so explosive that his leg kicks destroy everything including Melvin Manhoef. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos is such a fearless badass that he willingly and repeatedly stuck his Elmer Fudd in Cristiane Justino‘s rabbit hole (do not click this link to confirm). So obviously, when these two met at Cage Rage 15 back in 2006 with Manhoef’s light heavyweight title on the line, the result was every bit the epic slugfest that fans had predicted it would be.

For nearly ten minutes, Manhoef and Santos traded heavy leather and heavier kicks and knees, leaving both men gasping for air before the second round even got under way. It wasn’t until a flurry by an exhausted Manhoef finally found its mark that Santos was defeated, marking an insane fight in the Cage Rage books and a ridiculously improbable comeback win for Manhoef.

And now, the two are set to do battle once again (*BRAAAAHM*). MMAFighting is reporting that Santos and Manhoef have agreed to meet in a welterweight contest on April 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fight will not only serve as Manhoef’s debut at 170 lbs, but as a title match for the vacant Gringo Super Fight welterweight belt. A prestigious achievement if there ever was one.

Although both guys have fallen on harder times since their original battle — Cyborg has gone 7-7 since and Manhoef 15-9 — there’s simply no way that this fight will leave a bad taste in the mouths of those who have witnessed the mayhem depicted above. I can only pray that we will be able to say the same about Shogun vs. Hendo II come March 24th.

–J. Jones