Melvin Manhoef Bows Out of Cage Rage

It’s a sad day here at Cage Rage Championships as we announce the retirement of one of our greatest champions, Melvin Manhoef from the World famous Mike’s gym. Melvin will no longer be fighting at CRC due to a very lucrative two year deal struck with K-1, he will be greatly missed and we would like to wish him all the best in his career at K-1.

Melvin Manhoef made his CRC debut on the 26th of February 2005 at Cage Rage 10: Deliverance, against Frenchman Mathias Riccio. This fight was an absolute war as Melvin unleashed a barrage of devastating strikes to knock out Mathias in only three minutes of the first round, this instantly made Melvin a crowd favourite and a catch phrase was born. Melvin will always be remembered for these words he made famous “I live for this shit!” and that is probably the best way Melvin can be described as he is truly a man that lives for the challenge.

Melvin returned to CRC on the 10th September 2005 for Cage Rage 13: No Fear to face Chute Boxe fighter Fabio Piamonte. This fight had a lot of hype surrounding it due to Fabio coming from one of the best known schools in the World, the fight started with a bang and it was definitely a case of blink and you will miss it as Melvin quickly moved in for the kill throwing a ferocious combination that saw Fabio hit the ground out cold and with a dislocated shoulder in only 51 seconds of the first round.

Melvin’s third outing at CRC saw him go up against Fabio Piamonte’s stable mate Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos, this was going to be one of the greatest mixed martial arts battles of all time as both men fought for the coveted Cage Rage Championships World Light-heavyweight title. Both men fought their hearts out in a two round war with Melvin winning by KO at three minutes fifty one seconds of the 2nd round this was truly a historic battle and Melvin’s second victory against a Chute Boxe fighter, that earned him the Cage Rage World Light-Heavyweight title.

Melvin’s last outing at Cage Rage was to be one of the highlights of his career as he stepped in the Cage at Cage Rage 17: Ultimate Challenge to defend his title against British Light-Heavyweight superstar Ian "The Machine" Freeman. Melvin made quick work of “The Machine” beating him in only seventeen seconds of round one.

Our time with Melvin has been memorable and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.

Now with the Cage Rage Championships World Light-Heavyweight title made vacant, we will see the return of Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos as he throws down with British superstar James "The Messenger" Zikic at Cage Rage 21: Judgement Day on Saturday April 21st 2007 at the prestigious and iconic home of Cage Rage Championships, Wembley Arena.

Source: CageRage.com