Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko racked up his 52nd win in MMA competition at Bellator 133 on Friday, February 13th 2015 in Fresno, California with an impressive spinning back fist knockout of legendary kickboxer Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (29-13-1-1 NC).
In an impressive showing of improved stand-up skills; the Russian-born Shlemenko transmuted the fluid lateral motion and spinning offensive kicks of Taekwondo into his existing base of stone handed clinch fighting to devastating effect. Disguising the knockout blow with a series of right foot side kicks, it crept up on Manhoef and left him on his back in the second round. Before staggering about and ending up on his back, Manhoef was displaying some noteworthy takedown defense. During the standing exchanges in tight, Manhoef appeared to be swinging for the early finish with his trademark power hooks but was denied that luxury by the much improved defence and footwork of the former Bellator middleweight champion.
In obvious absence were the hard-hitting leg kicks of the Dutch kickboxer. With good movement and constant takedown pressure, Shlemenko neutralized that portion of Manhoef’s game by forcing him to use his explosive hips to sprawl instead of slam home his shin bone. While Melvin’s western boxing and power looked on point, he appeared frustrated that he could not effectively use his tools against the elusive Shlemenko. Manhoef’s cardio didn’t seem to be tested either but his chin certainly was… and it failed the test… for the second time in 90 days, after being dropped by Joe Schilling back at Bellator 131 on November 15th.
At no point did the fight feel uncompetitive though. It was a nail biting experience in the first round when no significant grappling exchanges resulted in a dominant position for “Storm” Shlemenko. Manhoef was still glancing punches off the arms of Shlemenko and hit him with a few nice hooks to the body when the former champ pressed the clinch with a left under hook, although Alexander was effective from that position with knees as well. An attempted standing guillotine choke by Shlemenko stifled any further clinch offence Manhoef could muster in one exchange with “Storm” and this basic pattern was repeated for most of the first round.
Nearing the three and a half minute mark in the second round, Alexander Shlemenko walked forward and threw another spinning back kick with his right foot. Manhoef walked through it with his left quad but Shlemenko reset his footing quickly and engaged again. Sweeping his back foot towards Melvin, Shlemenko appeared to be throwing another kick with his hips but with lightning quick speed propelled his right forearm forward into the left side of Manhoef’s face. With his knuckles catching just behind Melvin’s ear, the former Middleweight champion smashed his wrist into Manhoef’s chin, a blow that left Manhoef staggering about until his legs gave out and he collapsed to the canvas after falling backward. Shlemenko finished up with a powerful left and right to the chin while he was standing over Manhoef before the referee jumped into to stop the fight and rescue a no stiff-armed Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef.
In the press conference that followed the event on Friday night; Shlemenko announced to the world and Scott Coker in particular, that he was back. He claimed to have “made a mistake” against Brandon Halsey when lost the title, and that he is ready to fight for the Bellator middleweight strap again.
“This is my belt. I make mistake. Halsey, I’m coming for you.” Shlemenko proclaimed.
And who can argue with that sentiment following a dominant finish over a game opponent with a lengthy resume. Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko has made himself a force to be reckoned with again; so the Bellator 185-pound division better be on notice.
