By FCF Staff
Friday’s Strikeforce Challengers card is an important day in the careers of both Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (pictured above) and Wes Shivers, as each man is in need of a big win. Ribeiro (20-4) will be looking to reassert his presence in the upper rankings of the lightweight division, after dropping back-to-back bouts against Lyle Beerbohm and Shinya Aoki. While Shivers (7-1) will be looking to demonstrate that he can indeed compete on the big stage that is Strikeforce, after fighting just once since September, 2008.
Both men participated in an open media workout at Knock Out Fitness in Flowood, Mississippi, earlier in the week, and discussed Friday’s card. Ribeiro will be facing Justin Wilcox (9-3) in the main event, while the former NFL player Shivers, will take on heavyweight Goldman Butler (1-4).
The event will be hosted by the Jackson Convention Center in Jackson, Miss., and it will be broadcast on Showtime.
Here is some of what Ribeiro and Shivers had to say at Wednesday’s workout.
Ribeiro:
“This fight means a lot to me. I’m really happy to be the main event in this show and I think that’s what motivated me to train so hard the last few months. I’m just working on a few things today and sparring a bit, but I feel great and I’m ready to go for Friday."
“(Wilcox) sounds like a very powerful wrestler who has good hands. I’ll be ready to use my game plan, though, based on what I know about him."
“I left my last fight to the judges, so I’m going to try to not make that mistake again and finish the fight in three rounds. If I can’t, I’m going to dominate the three rounds and not leave any doubt in anyone’s mind about who won.”
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| Shivers (right) will fight Butler Friday |
Shivers:
“A lot of people are saying this guy doesn’t have a good record and they’re underestimating him. I’m not doing that by any means. I know the guys he’s fought and I know they’re super tough and that he’s tough. He wouldn’t have taken this fight if he wasn’t ready so I’m coming in there prepared for a war."
“When I got the phone call to fight in Strikeforce, it was a big deal to me. Besides the fact that this is in my home state, I’ve always prided myself in being a local guy who has tried to help the sport grow here and to be a part of a major organization when it comes to my hometown means a lot to me."
“I’m going to go in there showing how hard I worked for this fight and you never know where that could go with Strikeforce. I’m hoping to establish a home with them. This fight may have opened a door for me.”
Some of the other bouts scheduled for Friday’s Challengers card include former Ovince St. Preux (7-4) vs. Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt (11-4), Marius Zaromskis (13-5) vs. Waachiim Spirit Wolf (8-7-1), Jan “Cuddles’’ Finney (8-8) vs. Liz “Girl-Rilla’’ Carmouche (5-0) and Caros “The Future” Fodor (3-0, 1 NC) vs. Derek “The Pretzel’’ Getzel (2-1).
