Melvin Manhoef training hard at American Top Team to improve ground game
by Giada Esposito on January 28, 2010
very good, I'm honored to be here. There is a very good team spirit, with everyone working together.

And the standup practice?

Katel (Kubis) and Thiago help me, but I also brought my own coaches. Katel helps me, Howard Davis helps me, everyone helps me here. My team is coming here, we are training hard for this fight.

Who do you think has the best standup at ATT?

I think the Pitbull is one of the best, I like his style. Everyone is good standing, Gesias also, but Thiago is very skilled.

Your last loss was to Paulo (Filho) in Dream. What are your thoughts on that fight?

I tried to keep it standing, because I'm better there. Overall it was going pretty well, but he is very good. He took me down and took my arm, but before that I thought I was winning. I was doing fine, but you know, he is very good on the ground. He showed he was the best that day, but I hope I face him again.

What would be different in a rematch (with Filho)?

I don't know, we would fight differently and I know it would be exciting. I'd do what I always do, but I'd hope to do better on the ground now and make it harder for him. His ground game is very good, that is the thing. His standup is good and his ground game is good, and it will always be that way. It's not easy, but I would try to do everything in the standup. I took a lot of guys (to train in Jiu-Jitsu) to the Netherlands, and maybe one day I will do well on the ground.

You and Cyborg (Evangelista Santos) fought once in the past in Cage Rage, and he is also in Strikeforce.

He is in the 185 lb weight class and that is a hard class. The match-up is important to make a good fight, and he is very good. People would expect a lot (if we faced each other again) and I think it would make the fight even tougher. I hope that it would be even harder than before.

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 |  (24) Comments The Hitman: he is a very talented guy with excellent, quick hands. this should be a good move for him. i didnt pick him against lawlor, but he is good JujitsWho: Good article Giada. This could up being one of the better fights on that card IMO with both fighters being willing to bang with each other. Looking forward to it. I had Robbie pulling an upset, I'm kind flipfloping at this point though. Melvin just has so much power Mtx: Great article Giada. Manhoef has superb standup, I really like his style but as soon as he is taken down, he is nothing. I'm always impressed how easy he can be taken down and how easy it seems that people with good BJJ can sub him. I'm really eager to see if his training with ATT will help him with that. Giada Esposito: I'll be interested to see how his training at ATT helps him as well. Thiago Alves wasn't able to do much to stop GSP's takedowns, but I was impressed at his ability to get back to his feet when GSP took him down. I love to watch Manhoef's striking, and if he could just develop some good TDD I think he could have a big impact in Strikeforce. Castle: It's about time Manhoef learns some TDD. This guy is one of my favorites but I have wasted a few beers throwing them out of rage when he gets taken down and submitted like. It will be great to see if he can actually avoid takedowns and if he does get down if he will be able to get back up and avoid a submission. I really think Robbie is a fool is he stands and trades with Melvin and will get KO’d. Good read. Castle: Yeah Jacare would sub him with the quickness, training at ATT or not. Manhoef kind of reminds me of a big Melvin Guillard. They seem to have the same problem though Guillard did do ok against Tibau (sp) (I thought Tibau won that fight) then got Guillotined by Diaz. If they can avoid the ground they do great. arlovskiviako: And Robbie Lawler has good wrestling and good GnP. Lawler is more likely to finish the fight on the ground than Manhoef is. GO HARD: i dont like lawlor, the longer this fight lasts the btter his chances... ill take lawlor tko rnd 2, even tho i want melvin ko rnd 1
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!