MMA and kickboxing veteran Melvin Manhoef has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce. FanHouse learned of the agreement Wednesday morning.

Manhoef, who most recently lost to Paulo Filho at DREAM 10 in July, will now be exclusive to Strikeforce when he fights in the United States. The deal still allows for him to compete for other organizations overseas.

The Dutch fighter is also being considered as an opponent for Robbie Lawler on the upcoming Dec. 19 Strikeforce: Evolution card in San Jose, Calif., but a prior fight commitment overseas may preclude him from taking the fight on short notice. FanHouse has learned that he is the organization's top choice to face Lawler, but as of Wednesday morning, no decision has been made. As reported yesterday, veteran Trevor Prangley is still in the mix to face Lawler.

If he doesn't make his Strikeforce debut later this month, Manhoef is expected to fight for the organization in the first quarter of 2010.

Manhoef holds a 23-6-1 MMA record and a 37-8 kickboxing record. He has only competed in one MMA fight in the United States, and that was a June 2007 loss to Yoon Dong Sik at the K-1: Dynamite USA show in Los Angeles. He holds notable MMA victories over Mark Hunt, Kazushi Sakuraba and Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos.

Source: www.mmafighting.com