K-1 'Dynamite 2009' Preview

Melvin Manhoef vs. Kazuo Misaki

The Storyline: In a late addition to the Dream vs. SRC series, Manhoef, the Dutch slugger and 2006 K-1 Hero’s light heavyweight tournament runner-up, will collide with Misaki, the Japanese judoka and 2006 Pride welterweight grand prix winner. Known as a clutch performer, Misaki has scored numerous significant wins in his eight-year career, including victories over Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Jorge Patino, two-division Pride champion Dan Henderson and Shooto light heavyweight titleholder Siyar Bahadurzada.

In recent New Year’s Eve appearances, Misaki scored a knockout over controversial Korean star Yoshihiro Akiyama in 2007 -- it was later changed to a no contest -- and fought a five-round war with American Top Team ace Jorge Santiago. He succumbed to a Santiago rear-naked choke in the fifth round at Sengoku’s NYE show in January.

Manhoef will be fighting at his third consecutive Dec. 31 event, as well. The Suriname-born kickboxer has won over fans in the Land of the Rising Sun with his no-nonsense, go-for-broke-from-the-opening-bell style. He owns a perfect record on NYE, with knockouts over Japanese boxer Yosuke Nishijima and former K-1 champion Mark Hunt. However, 2009 has not been his strongest year. He lost to Keijiro Maeda, a relative unknown, in K-1 and submitted to a Paulo Filho armbar in his lone MMA appearance.

The Breakdown: This looks like a textbook striker-versus-grappler confrontation. Although Misaki has shown above-average ability to fight on his feet, it seems doubtful he will try and duke it out with such a dangerous knockout artist. Look for Misaki to move the action to the mat at the first available chance, as he tries to expose the Dutchman’s glaring grappling shortcomings. Manhoef, meanwhile, figures to look for the clean one-punch knockout or to try to push Misaki into a corner and finish him there. The latter option may prove difficult, as the 33-year-old “Grabaka Hitman” has proven elusive and on his feet.

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The Prediction: Although Misaki struggled with taking down and putting away Bahadurzada in his last fight against a vaunted kickboxer, he enters this bout as the favorite. To find success, expect him to go back to the basics and catch Manhoef in a first-round armbar.