Bellator 146: Manhoef KO's Kato in the 1st; Middleweight Title Run Next (Video Highlights).11/20/2015
When the bell rings, Kato is going to feel a lot of pain because I hit and break everything. I'm going to take the win, his pride, his soul. I'm going to change his life. -Melvin "No Mercy" Manhoef
As Melvin "No Mercy" Manhoef made his signature walk out to the Bellator cage in Thackerville, Oklahoma at Bellator 146 Friday night, you could feel the tension and intensity in his eyes. There was a certain aura of ferocity and determination in the step of the living legend who made his name in combat sports by turning out the lights of his opponents. Prior to this fight, many pundits wondered at 39 years of age and coming off of two back to back KO losses just how much more Manhoef could contribute to the sport. With 27 KO/TKO victories to his name, Manhoef surely stood a punchers chance against surging middleweight striker Hisaki Kato, but just how long could Manhoef endure the onslaught of strikes and would his chin be able to weather the flurry. On Friday night, Manhoef answered these concerns emphatically.
As referee Big John McCarthy, brought both fighters to the center of the Bellator cage to face off and touch gloves, the tension and anticipation on the face of both fighters was palpable. From the outset of McCarthy's "Lets Get It On!", both fighter spent the early part of round one at range from one another waiting for their opportunity to strike. Manhoef engaged first with a flurry of punches capped off with a nice left hook before Kato answered immediately with a left body kick to Manhoef's midsection. Both fighters would engage in a swarming barrage of strikes shortly thereafter highlighted by a left hook from Kato which backed Manhoef off and allowed Kato to resume staying at distance. Manhoef then used right body kicks to target Kato's liver before ultimately attempting a right leg head kick which missed the mark (see video below). Instinctively, Kato then used this misstep to swarm on Manhoef as he unleashed an arsenal of body kicks and left handed strikes which saw Manhoef cover up immediately. And then at 1:22 remaining of round one, it happened. Like the 27 times before, Manhoef unleashed a hellish left hook rooted in God given power which ended the fight by KO. In the wake of the nuclear strike, Kato lay on the canvas looking up at the lights as Big John McCarthy stood over him quietly explaining what happened.
As Manhoef graciously hugged Kato and bowed to the crowed to show his respect, the reason he is a living legend in the sport shined through as the fans stood on their feet in appreciation of his performance. As for the fight, Manhoef had the following words for Bellator commentor Jimmy Smith in his post fight interview:
Yea, when he's [Kato] unloading he throws everything with his left hand, and I had to hang in there you know. I said this is going to be worse for a few seconds, and then I will come over again. And it did, it worked out. This is what | want. This is why people know the if I come, I come for fight. It doesn't matter. Win or lose, I am yogin to give you all for you guys. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
For Manhoef, (as stated in his interview with MMABRO leading up to this fight), the addicting nature of KO wins of this nature and the goal lying ahead of him in victory remains clear:
It’s very addictive. It’s like I don’t know how you can describe it, but yea every time I do it is like feeling you have power to pull somebody away at that moment. It is very strong. It’s a great feeling you know, the excitement and the win, everything together. My drive is the championship now you know. The drive for my family who is supporting me and still believe in me you know. The kids at my gym. At my own gym, the kids are like looking up to me and so one more time I want to become champion for them and for myself of course. |
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