Just two months after Melvin Manhoef made his Bellator debut, the 38 year-old striker returns to the promotion at Bellator 131 to welcome Glory kickboxer Joe Schilling back to the sport of MMA.
Manhoef’s Bellator debut couldn’t have gone much better. Back at Bellator 125, Manhoef knocked out Doug Marshall is under two minutes which is the kind of outing that he wants to have on a consistent basis.
“I plan to bring more knockouts to Bellator,” said Manhoef. “I’m glad the people appreciated my fight with Doug Marshall, but I think Joe Schilling is a much better kickboxer, so the level is going to be higher.”
The potential of a scrap between himself and Schilling has Manhoef excited for what will play out. It’s the kind of fight that he expects to resonate with fans of the sport.
“I have a lot of great fights, and he has a lot of great fights. If we both bring the same attitude we always have on November 15th, I think this could be the fight of the year,” said Manhoef. “This could be the best striking war you will ever see.”
Having kept with Schilling’s outings in Glory, Manhoef is excited about the prospect of a striking battle, and he also came away with admiration for his opponent.
“This type of fight makes it easier for me because Joe likes to do what I always like to do. We are going to stand up,” said Manhoef. “I’ve seen Joe’s fights from the Glory tournament and my coaches have watched tape on him, and he has heart, you know? He has a great heart, and he comes to fight. I appreciate that.”
If what Manhoef expects comes to fruition, fans watching Bellator 131 will be in store for quite a spectacle.
“I’m always going to come to please the fans. I like to knock people out,” said Manhoef. “I’m going to do everything in my power to knock Joe Schilling out because this is what I need and what the fans want to see.”