Mannaart was ranked as a top ten heavyweight by Combat Press between July 2019 and July 2021, peaking at #7.[3][4]
Kickboxing career
Manaart beat Semmie Onoiafie at Fighting Rookies in May 2016. He won the fight by a second round TKO. He would notch up three more wins in the Dutch circuit, defeating Michael Lorenz, Thomas Bridgewater and Nico Pereira Horta.[5][6]
Mannaart participated in the 2017 K-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix, being scheduled to fight Masahiro Iwashita in the quarterfinals.[7] He beat Iwashita by a first round knockout, but lost to Ibrahim El Bouni by knockout in the semifinals.[8]
Mannaart subsequently signed with Glory as well, and fought Daniel Škvor at Glory 59: Amsterdam. He beat Skvor by unanimous decision.[11] In his next fight with Glory, Mannaart was scheduled to fight Kirill Kornilov, whom he beat by unanimous decision.[12]
Mannaart was scheduled to defend his K-1 title against Chris Bradford, at K-1 World GP 2019 Yokohamatsuri.[13] He knocked Bradford out in the first round.[14]
Roel Mannaart returned to Glory at Glory 75: Utrecht to fight Sergej Maslobojev.[15] Maslobojev won the fight by a first round TKO, with Mannaart suffering a broken jaw during the bout.[16]