Strikeforce Result: Tim Kennedy Submits Melvin Manhoef, Wants Robbie Lawler

Strikeforce and Bleacher Report are live from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.

Middleweights, Tim Kennedy (13-3) and Melvin Manhoef (24-9-1) took the the Strikeforce cage, where Kennedy rebounded from a tough loss to Jacare Souza by submitting Manhoef.

Bleacher Report brings you live play-by-play below.

Round 1:

Lead kick by Manhoef is blocked by Kennedy and Kennedy shoots unsuccessfully. They separate and circle away from another. Kick by Kennedy lands and Manhoef fires back with a combination.

Another kick by Kennedy, but this time Manhoef catches it and lands a big right hand. Manhoef lands a low kick, buckling Kennedy, and follows up with another low kick that lands.

Kennedy shoots, putting Manhoef on his back along the cage, and directly moves into full mount.

Manhoef rolls and Kennedy takes his back. Punches from Kennedy land and Manhoef covers up. Kennedy’s working towards a choke and has it sunk in deep. Manhoef can’t escape and is forced to tap.

Tim Kennedy defeats Melvin Manhoef via Submission (RNC) - Round 1

Manhoef performed well while the fight was standing and displayed a few phenomenal kicks, but once again his lack of ground skills doomed him. Once fully on the mat, it was all Kennedy. Tough loss for Manhoef and big rebound victory Kennedy, who requested a match against Robbie Lawler post-fight.

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