Veteran Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro will look to pick up his first win in Strikeforce when he faces Justin Wilcox in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers XII on Nov. 19, the organization announced Monday evening.
The event will take place at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., and will air live on the East Coast at 11 PM on Showtime, tape delayed on the West Coast.
Also announced for the card is the return of Ryan Couture, son of Randy Couture. Couture won his Strikeforce and MMA debut in August in just 75 seconds. His opponent has yet to be signed by the promotion.
Ribeiro (20-4) dropped a somewhat controversial split decision to Lyle Beerbohm in May. The Brazilian, who runs his own Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy in New York City, began his MMA career with a 19-1 record, but has since lost 3 of his last 4 fights.
Wilcox (9-3) has won his last four fights in a row. He most recently defeated Shamar Bailey via unanimous decision in March. He holds notable wins over the likes of Gabe Ruediger, Bobby Voelker and Daisuke Nakamura, but this will undoubtedly be the highest-profile fight of his four-year career.
Strikeforce is expected to round out the televised portion of the card in the coming days.
The organization's next event is scheduled for this Saturday night in San Jose, Calif., and headlined by KJ Noons vs. Nick Diaz II. The next Challengers event is scheduled for Oct. 22, headlined by Roger Bowling vs. Bobby Voelker II.
The event will take place at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., and will air live on the East Coast at 11 PM on Showtime, tape delayed on the West Coast.
Also announced for the card is the return of Ryan Couture, son of Randy Couture. Couture won his Strikeforce and MMA debut in August in just 75 seconds. His opponent has yet to be signed by the promotion.
Ribeiro (20-4) dropped a somewhat controversial split decision to Lyle Beerbohm in May. The Brazilian, who runs his own Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy in New York City, began his MMA career with a 19-1 record, but has since lost 3 of his last 4 fights.
Wilcox (9-3) has won his last four fights in a row. He most recently defeated Shamar Bailey via unanimous decision in March. He holds notable wins over the likes of Gabe Ruediger, Bobby Voelker and Daisuke Nakamura, but this will undoubtedly be the highest-profile fight of his four-year career.
Strikeforce is expected to round out the televised portion of the card in the coming days.
The organization's next event is scheduled for this Saturday night in San Jose, Calif., and headlined by KJ Noons vs. Nick Diaz II. The next Challengers event is scheduled for Oct. 22, headlined by Roger Bowling vs. Bobby Voelker II.