Melvin Manhoef

Last updated
Melvin Manhoef
Melvin-Manhoef2.jpg
Born (1976-05-11) 11 May 1976 (age 47)
Paramaribo, Suriname
Other namesNo Mercy
Nationality Dutch
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Division Welterweight (MMA)
Middleweight (MMA)
Light Heavyweight (MMA)
Cruiserweight (Kickboxing)
Heavyweight (Kickboxing & MMA)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Style Kickboxing
Fighting out of Amsterdam, Netherlands
TeamManhoef Fight & Fitness (2012–present)
Mike's Gym (2005–2012, 2017)
Chakuriki Gym (1998–2005)
Rock Gym (1995–1998)
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [1]
Years active1995–2022 (MMA)
1996–2017 (Kickboxing)
Kickboxing record
Total52
Wins38
By knockout27
Losses14
By knockout7
Mixed martial arts record
Total52
Wins32
By knockout29
By decision3
Losses17
By knockout7
By submission8
By decision2
Draws1
No contests2
Other information
Notable relatives Million Manhoef, son
Ismael Londt, nephew
Cedric Manhoef, cousin [2]
Notable students Ismael Londt, Cedric Manhoef
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: 21 June 2014

Melvin Manhoef (born 11 May 1976) is a retired Surinamese-born Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. In kickboxing, he is a former It's Showtime Middleweight Champion, and in MMA he was the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion. In mixed martial arts, he competed in Bellator's Light heavyweight and Middleweight division [3] and has also formerly competed for Strikeforce, DREAM, RINGS, It's Showtime , K-1, ONE FC, and KSW. 29 of his 32 wins have come via knockout, the highest percentage of any MMA fighter with at least 15 wins. [4]

Contents

Background

Manhoef was born in Paramaribo, Suriname. When he was three years old his family moved to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Manhoef played soccer during his youth, and was introduced to Muay Thai by his younger brother, Moreno.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

At the age of 18, Manhoef had his first fight, which he won by decision. He made his comeback in September 2001, as part of Chakuriki Gym. In 2004, Manhoef entered the Cage Rage promotion in London. He became the British Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion by beating Fabio Piamonte at Cage Rage 13. He defended his title for almost two years, until entering the K-1's MMA affiliate promotion Hero's in 2006. He won his first fight at Hero's 4 against Shungo Oyama by technical knockout in first round.

K-1, Hero's & DREAM

Melvin has switched his main focus to MMA over the past couple of years. He lost to Dong-sik Yoon by submission armbar in K-1 Dynamite!! USA, he defeated Bernard Ackah at K-1 Hero's Middleweight Tournament Opening Round, and also got a TKO win against Fábio Silva, a Chute Boxe fighter, by TKO in K-1 Hero's Middleweight GP Final. At Dream 4 Melvin fought Kazushi Sakuraba. Manhoef and Sakuraba circled the ring for the first minute of the fight, before Manhoef dropped Sakuraba with a hard right head kick and finished him via TKO (hammerfists) at 90 seconds into Round 1. With the win, Melvin had advanced to the semifinal round of the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix. At Dream 6 Melvin fought Gegard Mousasi as the tournament dictated. Wary of Manhoef's standup, Mousasi quickly took the fight to the ground despite attempts to shrug him with a sprawl. Mousasi took Manhoef's back until scrambling into a triangle choke at 1:28 of the first round, surviving a powerful slam attempt from Manhoef while he had the submission secured. Mousasi went on to win the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix. [5]

At Dynamite!! 2008 Melvin fought Mark Hunt as a late alternate at heavyweight, despite usually functioning at two weight classes below his opponent. Regardless of the size disadvantage, he knocked down the iron-jawed Samoan in 18 seconds and followed with punches as he was postured over Hunt, until the referee stopped the fight. [6] It was the first time Hunt was finished by knockout in his MMA career. He fought former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho on 20 July 2009 at Dream 10. [7] Despite early success on the feet with his striking offensive, Manhoef was taken down and submitted via armbar in the first round.

Strikeforce

Manhoef signed a multi-year fight contract with Strikeforce. [8] Manhoef made his debut for the organization against Robbie Lawler on 30 January 2010 at Strikeforce: Miami. Despite a strong start with heavy leg kicks and punches, he was knocked out at 3:33 in the first round.

Manhoef fought Tatsuya Mizuno at Dream 15 and lost by submission. [9]

Manhoef returned to the United States in March 2011, facing Tim Kennedy at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson. [10] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

ONE Fighting Championship

Manhoef in 2012. Melvin manhoef.jpg
Manhoef in 2012.

On 31 January 2012 it was announced that Manhoef had signed with ONE Fighting Championship and would be fighting Renato Sobral in the main event at ONE Fighting Championship 3. [11] However, Sobral pulled out of the fight and Manhoef faced Yoshiyuki Nakanishi. The fight ended in a No Contest due to an accidental injury to Manhoef's leg in round 1. Manhoef scored a knockout victory on 6 October 2012 against Ryo Kawamura, followed by a quick knockout of Dennis Kang on 31 December 2012. Melvin is now on a three-fight win streak in MMA and has gone 4–0 on New Year's Eve.

Manhoef trained at Black House in the United States. He helped his teammate Lyoto Machida train for a fight with Dan Henderson. Manhoef openly hoped to sign with the UFC after visiting UFC 156 in Las Vegas and meeting with Dana White.[ citation needed ]

In 2013 Manhoef fought UFC veteran Brock Larson at ONE FC on 5 April. After controlling the standup and Larson literally running away from him, Manhoef was repeatedly taken down in the last two rounds and Larson won via unanimous decision. He lost to Mamed Khalidov at KSW23 on 8 June 2013.

He lost to Zabit Samedov by unanimous decision in the semi-finals of the 93 kg/205 lb kickboxing tournament at Legend 2: Invasion in Moscow, Russia on 9 November 2013. [12] [13] [14]

Manhoef faced Evangelista Santos in a much-anticipated rematch for the Gringo Super Fight Welterweight title on 27 April. [15] The fight was Melvin's first at 170 lbs. Manhoef won the bout via TKO, early in the first round.

Glory

It was announced during the Glory 15: Istanbul broadcast that Manhoef would be one of eight fighters competing in the Glory 17: Los Angeles - Last Man Standing middleweight tournament in Inglewood, California, United States on 21 June 2014. [16] [17] He lost to Filip Verlinden in the quarter-finals, suffering a head kick knockdown in round one before losing a majority decision. [18] [19] [20]

Bellator MMA

On 21 July 2014, Bellator MMA announced that they signed Paul Daley along with Melvin Manhoef. [21]

Manhoef made his Bellator debut against Doug Marshall, in a middleweight bout, at Bellator 125 on 19 September 2014. [22] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Manhoef faced Glory veteran Joe Schilling on 15 November 2014 at Bellator 131. [23] After a dominant first round that saw Manhoef drop Schilling twice, he lost the fight in the second round due to a knockout.

Manhoef next faced Alexander Shlemenko on 13 February 2015 at Bellator 133. [24] He lost via knockout early in the second round. On 17 March 2015 Shlemenko was suspended indefinitely for failing a post fight drug test with elevated testosterone levels. The fight result was changed to a no contest. [25]

Manhoef faced Rafael Carvalho on 20 May 2016 for the Bellator Middleweight World Championship at Bellator 155. [26] Manhoef lost a controversial split decision. Bellator announcer Jimmy Smith called it one of the worst decisions he had ever seen in the promotion; likewise, 5 of 5 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Manhoef. [27]

An immediate rematch with Carvalho was scheduled to take place at Bellator 168, on 10 December 2016. [28] However, Carvalho pulled out of the fight due to injury. [29] The rematch eventually took place on 8 April 2017 at Bellator 176. Manhoef lost the bout via knockout due to a head kick in the fourth round. [30]

Manhoef made a comeback to kickboxing and faced Remy Bonjasky for the fourth time, after losing three times, on 29 October 2017. Manhoef won the bout by decision. He announced his retirement from kickboxing and stated that he would focus on his MMA career. [31]

In May 2018 it was revealed that Manhoef and Bellator had come to terms for an exclusive, multi-fight contract. [32]

Manhoef was scheduled to face Chidi Njokuani on 30 November 2018 at Bellator 210. [33] However, on 1 November 2018 it was reported that Manhoef pulled out from the event due to injury and he was replaced by John Salter. [34]

After over two years away from MMA action, Manhoef returned and faced Kent Kauppinen at Bellator 223. He won the fight by unanimous decision. [35]

As the ultimate bout of his prevailing contract, Manhoef next headlined Bellator Milan against Yannick Bahati on 12 October 2019. Manhoef won the bout via technical knockout in the first round. [36] Subsequently, Manhoef signed a two-fight contract extension with the organization. [37]

Manhoef was next expected to face Simon Biyong at Bellator 248 on 10 October 2020. [38] However, the bout was scrapped and Manhoef instead faced Corey Anderson at Bellator 251 on 5 November 2020. [39] He was defeated via second-round TKO. [40]

Manhoef was scheduled to fight Yoel Romero on 6 May 2022 at Bellator 280. [41] However, Manhoef withdrew from the bout due to a hand injury and was replaced by Alex Polizzi. [42] The pair was rescheduled to meet at Bellator 285 on 23 September 2022. [43] He lost the bout via knockout on the ground via elbows in the third round. [44] Manhoef retired from mixed martial arts after the fight. [45]

Post Bellator

Despite his retirement months ago, Manhoef faced Igor Tanabe on 28 December 2022 at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima. [46] He was submitted via heel hook in the first round and once again announced his retirement. [47]

Business career

Manhoef founded a kickboxing and MMA-promotion named World Fighting League. [48]

Personal life

On 29 March 2022, Manhoef and other neighbourhood residents apprehended three alleged burglars who had targeted his home near Amsterdam. He stopped the men from fleeing in a car by performing a PIT maneuver, and then, with the assistance of neighbours, detained the suspects until police arrived. Manhoef gave a statement to police afterwards, although legal ramifications of his actions are unclear. [49]

His son is professional footballer Million Manhoef.

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
52 matches32 wins17 losses
By knockout297
By submission08
By decision32
Draws1
No contests2
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss32–17–1 (2)Igor TanabeSubmission (inverted heel hook)Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye x Ganryujima28 December 202211:58 Tokyo, JapanCatchweight (203 lb) bout.
Loss32–16–1 (2) Yoel Romero KO (elbows) Bellator 285 23 September 202233:34 Dublin, Ireland
Loss32–15–1 (2) Corey Anderson TKO (elbows) Bellator 251 5 November 202022:34 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win32–14–1 (2)Yannick BahatiTKO (punches) Bellator 230 12 October 201912:29 Milan, Italy
Win31–14–1 (2)Kent KauppinenDecision (unanimous) Bellator 223 22 June 201935:00 London, EnglandReturn to Light Heavyweight.
Loss30–14–1 (2) Rafael Carvalho KO (head kick) Bellator 176 8 April 201743:15 Torino, ItalyFor the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Loss30–13–1 (2) Rafael Carvalho Decision (split) Bellator 155 20 May 201655:00 Boise, Idaho, United StatesFor the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win30–12–1 (2) Hisaki Kato KO (punch) Bellator 146 20 November 201513:43 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
NC29–12–1 (2) Alexander Shlemenko NC (overturned by CSAC) Bellator 133 13 February 201521:25 Fresno, California, United StatesOriginally a KO (spinning backfist) win for Shlemenko; overturned after he tested positive for Anabolic steroids.
Loss29–12–1 (1) Joe Schilling KO (punches) Bellator 131 15 November 201420:32 San Diego, California, United States
Win29–11–1 (1) Doug Marshall KO (punch) Bellator 125 19 September 201411:45 Fresno, California, United StatesReturn to Middleweight.
Win28–11–1 (1) Evangelista Santos TKO (punches)Gringo Super Fight 1027 April 201410:46 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilWon the Gringo Super Fight Welterweight Championship.
Loss27–11–1 (1) Mamed Khalidov Submission (guillotine choke) KSW 23 8 June 201312:09 Gdańsk, PolandCatchweight (192 lb) bout; Khalidov missed weight.
Loss27–10–1 (1) Brock Larson Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Kings and Champions 5 April 201335:00 Kallang, Singapore
Win27–9–1 (1) Denis Kang TKO (knee to the body) Dream 18 31 December 201210:50 Saitama, Japan
Win26–9–1 (1) Ryo Kawamura KO (punch) ONE FC: Rise of Kings 6 October 201214:40 Kallang, Singapore
Win25–9–1 (1)Kim Jae-youngDecision (split) Road FC 009 15 September 201235:00 Wonju, South Korea
NC24–9–1 (1)Yoshiyuki NakanishiNC (both fighters cut by clash of legs) ONE FC: War of the Lions 31 March 201212:08 Kallang, SingaporeCatchweight (88 kg); gash on Manhoef's leg rendered him unable to continue.
Loss24–9–1 Tim Kennedy Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson 5 March 201113:41 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss24–8–1 Tatsuya Mizuno Submission (kimura) Dream 15 July 10, 201017:38 Saitama, JapanLight Heavyweight bout. 2010 Dream Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Loss24–7–1 Robbie Lawler KO (punches) Strikeforce: Miami January 30, 201013:33 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win24–6–1 Kazuo Misaki TKO (punches) Dynamite!! 2009 December 31, 200911:49 Saitama, Japan
Loss23–6–1 Paulo Filho Submission (armbar) Dream 10 July 20, 200912:35 Saitama, Japan
Win23–5–1 Mark Hunt KO (punches) Dynamite!! 2008 December 31, 200810:18 Saitama, JapanHeavyweight bout.
Loss22–5–1 Gegard Mousasi Submission (triangle choke) Dream 6 September 23, 200811:28 Saitama, Japan2008 Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win22–4–1 Kazushi Sakuraba KO (punches) Dream 4 June 15, 200811:30 Yokohama, Japan2008 Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win21–4–1Kim Dae-wonTKO (knee and punches) Dream 3 May 11, 200814:08 Saitama, JapanReturn to Middleweight. 2008 Dream Middleweight Grand Prix Alternate bout.
Win20–4–1Yosuke NishijimaTKO (punches) K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!! December 31, 200711:49 Osaka, Japan
Win19–4–1 Fábio Silva TKO (punches)Hero's 10September 17, 200711:00 Yokohama, JapanMiddleweight bout.
Win18–4–1 Bernard Ackah KO (punches)Hero's 9July 16, 200712:13 Yokohama, Japan
Loss17–4–1 Yoon Dong-sik Submission (armbar) K-1 Dynamite!! USA June 2, 200721:17 Los Angeles, California, United StatesMiddleweight bout.
Win17–3–1 Yoshiki Takahashi TKO (punches)Hero's 8March 12, 200712:36 Nagoya, Japan
Loss16–3–1 Yoshihiro Akiyama Submission (armbar)Hero's 7October 9, 200611:58 Yokohama, Japan2006 Hero's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Final.
Win16–2–1 Shungo Oyama TKO (punches)11:042006 Hero's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win15–2–1Crosley GracieTKO (punches)Hero's 6August 5, 200619:12 Tokyo, Japan2006 Hero's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win14–2–1 Ian Freeman KO (punches) Cage Rage 17 July 1, 200610:17 London, EnglandDefended the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win13–2–1 Shungo Oyama TKO (doctor stoppage)Hero's 4March 15, 200612:51 Tokyo, JapanHeavyweight bout.
Win12–2–1 Evangelista Santos KO (punches) Cage Rage 15 February 4, 200623:51 London, EnglandDefended the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win11–2–1Fabio PiamonteKO (punches) Cage Rage 13 September 10, 200510:51 London, EnglandReturn to Light Heavyweight. Won the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win10–2–1Paul CahoonTKO (punches)CFC 4: Cage CarnageJuly 3, 20051N/A Liverpool, EnglandMiddleweight bout.
Win9–2–1 Bob Schrijber Decision (unanimous) It's Showtime Boxing & MMA Event 2005 Amsterdam June 12, 200525:00 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win8–2–1Ladislav ZakTKO (corner stoppage)Queens Fight NightApril 30, 200510:37 Eindhoven, NetherlandsLight Heavyweight bout.
Win7–2–1Matthias RiccioTKO (punches) Cage Rage 10 February 26, 200513:01 London, England
Loss6–2–1 Rodney Glunder KO (punch) It's Showtime 2004 Amsterdam May 20, 200424:43 Amsterdam, NetherlandsReturn to Heavyweight.
Win6–1–1Slavomir MolnarKO (punches)Heaven or Hell 4April 8, 20041N/A Prague, Czech RepublicWelterweight debut.
Win5–1–1Alexandr GarkushenkoTKO (punches) M-1 MFC: Russia vs. the World 5 April 6, 200316:57 Saint Petersburg, RussiaLight Heavyweight bout.
Loss4–1–1 Bob Schrijber TKO (punches)2H2H 11: Simply the BestMarch 16, 200314:04 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win4–0–1Mika IlménKO (punch) It's Showtime – As Usual / Battle Time September 29, 200210:35 Haarlem, NetherlandsHeavyweight debut.
Win3–0–1Paul CahoonTKO (corner stoppage) Rings Holland: Saved by the Bell June 2, 200222:07 Amsterdam, NetherlandsLight Heavyweight debut.
Win2–0–1Husein CiftKO (punches)Hoogwoud Free Fight GalaDecember 15, 200111:50 Hoogwoud, Netherlands
Draw1–0–1 Rodney Glunder Draw Rings Holland: The Kings of the Magic Ring June 20, 199925:00 Utrecht, Netherlands
Win1–0Jordy JonkersTKO (palm strike)Battle of Amstelveen IIDecember 2, 199523:37 Amstelveen, NetherlandsMiddleweight debut.

[51]

Kickboxing record (incomplete)

Kickboxing record (Incomplete)
38 Wins (27 (T)KO's), 14 Losses
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTime
2017-10-29Win Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky WFL: Manhoef vs. Bonjasky, Final 16 Almere, Netherlands Decision33:00
2016-04-16Loss Flag of Romania.svg Alexandru Negrea Bellator Kickboxing 1 Turin, Italy Decision (Unanimous)33:00
2014-07-25Loss Flag of Spain.svg César Córdoba International Fighting Championship Badalona, Spain TKO (Referee stoppage)12:59
2014-06-21Loss Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Filip Verlinden Glory 17: Los Angeles - Middleweight Last Man Standing Tournament, Quarter Finals Inglewood, California, USA Decision (Majority)33:00
2013-11-09Loss Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Zabit Samedov Legend 2: Invasion, Semi Finals Moscow, Russia Decision (Unanimous)33:00
2012-01-28Loss Flag of Suriname.svg Tyrone Spong It's Showtime 2012 in Leeuwarden Leeuwarden, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous)33:00
2010-05-29Loss Flag of Turkey.svg Gokhan Saki It's Showtime 2010 Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands TKO (Referee stoppage)2N/A
2009-09-26Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16 Seoul, Republic of Korea Decision (Unanimous)33:00
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final.
2009-08-29Win Flag of Hungary.svg Dénes Rácz It's Showtime 2009 Budapest Budapest, Hungary TKO (Referee stoppage)30:46
Wins It's Showtime 85MAX World title.
2009-08-11Win Flag of Russia.svg Ramazan Ramazanov K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Tokyo, Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Punch)12:16
Despite victory is unable to continue in the tournament due to a shin injury.
2009-05-16Win Flag of Germany.svg Stefan Leko It's Showtime 2009 Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands TKO (Referee stoppage)3N/A
2009-03-28Loss Flag of Japan.svg Kyotaro K-1 World GP 2009 in Yokohama, Semi Finals Yokohama, Japan KO (Right hook)12:02
2008-12-06Win Flag of Poland.svg Paul Slowinski K-1 World GP 2008 Final, Reserve Fight Tokyo, Japan KO (Left hook)12:26
2008-04-26Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky K-1 World GP 2008 in Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Flying right high kick)32:32
2007-06-23Win Flag of Russia.svg Ruslan Karaev K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook)10:31
2006-12-02Loss Flag of New Zealand.svg Ray Sefo K-1 World Grand Prix 2006, Reserve Fight Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook)10:40
2006-05-13Win Flag of Japan.svg Tatsufumi Tomihira K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam, Quarter Finals Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Punches)12:10
Despite victory is unable to continue in the tournament due to injury.
2005-04-09Win Flag of Japan.svg Yuji Sakuragi Muay Thai Champions League XIV Amsterdam, Netherlands TKO (Referee stoppage)2N/A
2005-02-12Loss Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Dzevad Poturak Gala Gym Alkmaar Alkmaar, Netherlands KO (Punches)32:55
2002-04-21Win Flag of Greece.svg Stavros AnastiadisVictory or Hell 3 Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Knee strike)1N/A
2002-02-24Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary Netherlands, Quarter Finals Arnhem, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous)33:00
1999-03-27Loss Flag of Suriname.svg Ashwin Balrak The Fights of the Gladiators Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous)53:00
1998-09-26Win Flag of France.svg Jean JacquesThe Fight of the Champions Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook)2N/A
1996-09-28Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Lesley NijmanThai/Kickboxing ZaandamZaandam, NetherlandsKON/AN/A
1996-03-16Loss Flag of Morocco.svg Samir BenazzouzThai/Kickboxing Nijmegen Nijmegen, Netherlands KO3N/A
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

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