Since the day Bellator President Scott Coker joined the promotion, the goal has been to create the most entertaining fights possible under the Bellator banner. With that in mind, Bellator has added knockout kingpins Paul “Semtex” Daley (34-13) and Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (28-11) to the roster. The two veterans have both amassed impressive careers, including an astonishing 51 career knockouts between the two heavy-handed strikers.
Paul Daley and Melvin Manhoef sign with Bellator
Daley rejoins Bellator after a dominating debut in 2012 with a first round knockout over Rudy Bears at Bellator 72. Only 31, the Nottingham based striker is looking to make his mark on the Bellator Welterweight Division.
“Like always, I’m coming into Bellator to put on a show,” Daley said. “I loved working for Coker back in Strikeforce, and when I got the call to possibly come back to Bellator, it was a no-brainer. I feel great, I’m fresh, and I’m going after that belt.”
Manhoef will join an already deep middleweight division as the Dutch kickboxer brings his finishing skills to the Bellator cage and Spike TV. The former Strikeforce and K-1 veteran is on a mission to provide explosive finishes, and with potential matchups with Alexander Shlemenko, Brennan Ward, Brett Cooper and Doug Marshall on the horizon, fans should expect fireworks inside the Bellator Middleweight Division.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We want Bellator to be a destination for not only the top-tier fighters in the sport, but the first-choice destination for fans to see the most entertaining fights in the sport,” Coker said. “Both Paul and Melvin add a level of excitement to the roster that I can’t wait to see inside our cage, and this is just the beginning.”