Shaolin vs Fancy Pants Targeted For May 15 Strikeforce Event

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http://mmajunkie.com/news/18323/lyle-be ... -event.mma

A lightweight bout between fast-rising prospect Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm (13-0 MMA, 2-0 SF) and established veteran Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-3 MMA, 0-0 SF) is likely to take place at a May 15 Strikeforce event.

A source close to one of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com) verbal agreements are in place for the matchup and that bout agreements should soon be distributed.

The event takes place at the Scottrade Center and airs on Showtime.

Although not officially decided, Beerbohm vs. Ribeiro could be part of the night's televised main card.

Beerbohm, who found MMA after drug problems and a prison stint, has been one of MMA's most successful turnaround stories. After taking his first amateur fight just a few weeks after his release, he went undefeated and then turned pro in April 2007. He's since posted 13 straight victories; only one went to a decision.

Beerbohm first fought for Strikeforce in early 2008 and submitted Ray Perales at "Strikeforce: At The Dome." He returned to the organization in June 2009, was pitted against UFC vet Duane Ludwig, predicted a finish via bulldog choke, and then promptly secured the submission in the first round of the fight. After recently signing a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce, "Fancy Pants" then took a fight outside the promotion and scored a TKO victory over Josh Martin at a September 2009 Arena Rumble event.

Meanwhile, Ribeiro, who turned pro in 2001, launched his career with an impressive 19-1 record and formerly held Cage Rage's 155-pound title. The lone loss came to Tatsuya Kawajiri in 2004, though Ribeiro had already beaten "Crusher" at a different Shooto event two years earlier. The 30-year-old's only career losses have come to Kawajiri, Gesias "GZ" Calvancante and (in his most recent bout) Shinya Aoki. All are or have been ranked among the lightweight division's very best fighters.

Among his 20 career victories, Ribeiro owns 14 stoppages (12 via submission) while topping notables such as Joachim Hansen, Eiji Mitsuoka, Daisuke Nakamura and fellow Strikeforce fighter Mitsuhiro Ishida.