Melvin Manhoef wants to ‘entertain’ UFC fans in stand up 'brawls' against Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping and Cung Le

One of the most devastating strikers to ever put on a pair of mixed martial arts (MMA) gloves, Melvin Manhoef, wants a chance to fight inside the sport's top proving grounds ... the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Octagon.

The K-1 kickboxing legend has spent the majority of his MMA career fighting overseas for promotions such as Hero's, DREAM, Cage Rage and more recently ONE Fighting Championship. Manhoef has competed stateside before, however, more recently under the Strikeforce banner, dropping two straight against Robbie Lawler and Tim Kennedy.

Now a member of Team Black House and currently in California to help Lyoto Machida prepare for his upcoming light heavyweight showdown against heavy-hitting Dan Henderson at UFC 157, the Dutch destroyer was in attendance at UFC 156, revealing on "The MMA Hour" he had a conversation with UFC President Dana White backstage, though a potential move to the promotion was not discussed.

But, he wouldn't be opposed to the chance to fight for the promotion:

"Yeah, who wouldn't? I think everybody fighting wants to fight in the UFC. I think it's one of the biggest organizations at the moment. I'm a fighter and I want to entertain people, so, for me it's like pretty nice to fight in the UFC. If the chance is there, I'm going to do it four hundred percent. And I think every fighter, it's an achievement on his record."

Manhoef also revealed his focus is solely now on MMA and has put kickboxing on ice, for now.

When asked who he would like to face, Melvin suggested his preference to face standup fighters such as his idol Wanderlei Silva, British bad boy Michael Bisping and all-around striking machine, Cung Le.

Currently riding a three-fight win streak, "No Mercy" is currently lined up to compete in April for ONE FC, but, if the UFC comes knocking, Manhoef is ready to answer because his contract with the Asia-based promotion is not exclusive.

How about it Maniacs, would you like to see Melvin inside the Octagon? Which current UFC middleweight contender would you like to see him go toe-to-toe against?

A Hector Lombard vs. Manhoef showdown sounds pretty vicious.