
Ariel Helwani is reporting that Dutch fighter Melvin Manhoef has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce and may fight on the upcoming Strikeforce card this December.
Manhoef is being considered as an opponent for Robbie Lawler as Lawler’s original opponent, Benji Radach, pulled out of the fight. Following hand surgery in April, Radach was unable to get medical clearance in time to begin training for the fight against Lawler.
Trevor Prangley is also a name being considered as a replacement for the Lawlor fight, but Manhoef would bring much more interest among MMA fans.
The report notes that Manhoef’s deal gives Strikeforce exclusive rights for Manhoef’s fights in the United States, but Manhoef is still free to compete internationally with other organizations.











Man, Strikeforce is really coming together, ofcourse they have a tiny stable of fighters but the guys they DO have are top notch. They have some grizzled vets including Fedor who could carry the promotion on his shoulders alone. Apart from that they have some GREAT young talent like Mousassi and Zaromskis, now they signed KJ Noonz! who im not a fan of, but that means we get to see a rematch with him and Diaz.
Some great things for Strikeforce on the horizon, they have to make this business work man! UFC needs competition and we need more MMA shows to look forward to. I see some BIG fight cards coming up for strikeforce, januarys gonna be nuts.
Yeah, the UFC’s January 2 card sucks – which opens Pandora’s box for Strikeforce and come in “DUH DUH DUHHHHH” and save the day, establishing their brand in the minds of casual fans and upstaging the UFC … competition breeds good results.