Preview: Bellator 131

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MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Melvin Manhoef (29-11-1, 1-0 Bellator) vs. Joe Schilling (1-3, 0-0 Bellator)

THE MATCHUP: This is a kickboxing matchup in four-ounce gloves -- a bit of wonderful, carnival madness for the enjoyment of the masses courtesy of Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou. Manhoef, 38, is a venerable competitor with nearly a hundred combined MMA and kickboxing fights under his belt and, despite his advancing age, remains one of the most dangerous punchers in the history of either sport. Schilling has competed under MMA rules before and compiled an underwhelming record, but he is one of the very best middleweight kickboxers on the planet, with wins over luminaries such as Simon Marcus, Artem Levin and Karapet Karapetyan. This should be pure, unadulterated, violent fun.

Manhoef’s game revolves around his ridiculous knockout power. The longtime student of kickboxing Mike Passenier, Manhoef bears all the hallmarks of the pure Dutch style: vicious low kicks, gorgeous, mechanically sound punching technique and two- to five-strike combinations that work the head, body and legs in destructive punch-kick rhythms. He is not much of an infighter and never really has been, although he can throw knees with the best of them. Even at 38, Manhoef is an absurdly quick and athletic specimen; as a result, his takedown defense has always been somewhere between solid and good. Grappling has historically been his problem, but it seems unlikely that will be a factor against Schilling.

Schilling is more of a pure Thai stylist. He prefers a long thip and hard round kicks at range. Schilling throws hard punches at boxing distance but is more of a single-shot kind of kickboxer than someone who strings together smooth combinations. He also has a distinct tendency to headhunt and does not work the body nearly as much as he might. His game has a little funk to it, too, with a preference for spinning kicks and spinning backfists as he moves his opponent toward the cage. Schilling’s inside game is outstanding, with a nice mixture of control, knees and elbows, and his rangy frame gives him fantastic leverage. His ground game and wrestling are obviously not up to par, but he is a kickboxer, not a mixed martial artist.

THE PICK: Schilling and Manhoef will likely be happy to bang it out on the feet, and that should make for an outstanding matchup between two talented offensive fighters with serious defensive liabilities. Manhoef will land his punches -- and so will Schilling -- and it seems almost certain that someone is going to sleep. I believe that will be Manhoef, because Schilling is younger and much more durable, with less wear and tear and fewer worrisome knockout losses. Schilling by knockout in the second round after a stunningly fun, back-and-forth first is the pick.

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