Bellator 146: 'Kato vs. Manhoef'

[Edge Guerrero]

Hisaki Kato not worried about handing Melvin Manhoef further damage at Bellator 146

By Mike Bohn November 18, 2015

Hisaki Kato is ready to deliver an equally impressive encore performance following his “Knockout of the Year” candidate against Joe Schilling in his Bellator debut earlier this year.

Kato (5-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) returns to the cage on Friday when he meets Melvin Manhoef (29-12-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) in Bellator 146’s middleweight main event. Bellator 146 takes place at Winstar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla. The main card airs on Spike following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Much like his bout with Schilling (check out the highlights above), which he won by second-round knockout at Bellator 139 in June, Kato is being paired against another credentialed striker with a long highlight reel of vicious finishes.

Manhoef is a fighter with a rich history in combat sports and many notable matchups on his resume. Kato said he’s eager to add another name opponent to his resume.

“I was watching him on TV when I was younger for a very long time, so I’m glad I can fight with him,” Kato told MMAjunkie. “He’s got a long history in the sport even in kickboxing and in MMA. I’m happy I have the opportunity I have to fight with him.

“There’s a big chance it’s going to be only the striking game and you never know, obviously a knockout is likely.”

While Kato will enter the contest off a significant victory, Manhoef is winless in his past two fights and had received brutal back-to-back knockouts inside the Bellator cage.

At 38 and with 11 knockout losses on his record between MMA and kickboxing, many have questioned Manhoef’s physical health and whether he’s capable of absorbing further damage.

Manhoef said he’s not worried about such matters following a nine-month break from competition. Kato echoed those comments and said concerns over Manhoef’s wellbeing wouldn’t stop him from hunting for another knockout.

“His last fight was like a half a year ago; he should have recovered very well even if he had injuries during the last fight,” Kato said. “He’s a really great athlete and he does the job very well. He will be prepared and in very good shape for this fight. I believe I will have the best, most explosive Melvin Manhoef fighting me.”

Less than six months ago Kato was an unheralded 185-pounder. He landed on the map with the incredible Superman punch knockout of Schilling, and now he’s ready to evolve into a title contender with a stoppage of Manhoef.

Although Kato said his attention is placed on “No Mercy,” he admitted he has title aspiration and has one eye on newly crowned Bellator middleweight champ Rafael Carvalho.

“Let’s see what happens with Melvin Manhoef – if I have a good win, I think I will be a good contender for the title fight,” Kato said. “For now, I just try to focus on my next fight. I just have to be in a good mindset and try to show my best skills.”

Source:http://mmajunkie.com/2015/11/hisak-kaito-not-worried-about-handing-melvin-manhoef-further-damage-at-bellator-146