Lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) of New York will take on Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of San Jose, Calif., by way of Cincinnati, in Friday’s main event.
In other televised fights: former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux (7-4), of Knoxville, Tenn., takes on Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt’’ (11-4) of Virginia Beach, Va., in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) scrap, ex-DREAM champion Marius Zaromskis (13-5) of San Jose collides with Waachiim Spirit Wolf (8-7-1) of San Diego, Calif.; Jan “Cuddles’’ Finney (8-8) of Beavercreek, Ohio, will be opposed by unbeaten Liz “Girl-Rilla’’ Carmouche (5-0) of San Diego, Calif., in a key women’s match at 135 pounds (welterweight) and Caros “The Future” Fodor (3-0, 1 NC) of Kirkland, Wash., will throw down with Derek “The Pretzel’’ Getzel (2-1) of Andover, Minn., at lightweight (155 pounds).
Former NFL player-turned-MMA fighter, popular heavyweight Wes Shivers (7-1), of Brandon, Miss., returns to the cage to face Goldman Butler (1-3), of Tupelo, Miss., in the top undercard fight. In other non-televised action: Jacob “Pyscho” Noe (3-1) of Memphis, Tenn., will take on Wesley “Pitbull” Little (2-4) of Columbus, Miss., and Jeremiah “Bigg Rigg” Riggs (6-5) of Vicksburg, Miss., meets Jason Sharp (7-2) of Biloxi, Miss., in middleweight (185 pounds) match.
Among the scheduled amateur undercard bouts: Anthony Mitchell (4-1), Madison, Miss., vs. Jeffrey Hedgepeth (2-1), Silver Creek, Miss, at a catch weight of 200 pounds; Brian “The Law” Hall (12-2), Memphis, Tenn., vs. Thomas “Die Hard Kid” Vasquez (14-3), Horn Lake., Miss., in a bantamweight (135 pounds) bout; and in welterweight (170 pounds) fights, Joel Cooper (9-2), Jackson, Tenn., vs. Brian Burse (8-1), Corinth, Miss.; and Travis Robertson (8-3), Memphis, Tenn., vs. Ken DuBose (2-0), Jackson, Miss.
The MMA fight card is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and will mark STRIKEFORCE’s initial foray into the state of Mississippi.
Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Coliseum box office and Be-Bop Record Shops, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com and http://www.STRIKEFORCE.com.
What the fighters said Wednesday:
VITOR RIBIERO:
“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.”
WES 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.”
ANTHONY MITCHELL:
“Stylistically, this is a very good matchup for me. I’ve had the privilege of seeing my opponent fight on two previous occasions. Going in, I’m very confident about my technique versus his technique.
“It’s kind of a surreal feeling to be fighting on such a big card. There have been a few televised fights here but, this is by far the biggest show to come here. None of them have carried the reputation that STRIKEFORCE has. Just to be a part of it, I feel honored.”
JEREMIAH RIGGS:
“I’ve actually trained with James. That’s something that a lot of people might not know. I feel good about it, though. I had a great camp at Hit Squad. This is probably the best I’ve felt in my career mentally and physically.
“He’s a stand up guy and I’m a stand up guy, but I think I have an edge as far as wrestling and the ground game goes. I don’t take anyone lightly. He better have his chin buckled up because once that cage door shuts and the bell rings, I’m coming for him.
“I’m coming off a three-fight win streak. I really believe I’ve got what it takes to get in there with some of the big names. I’m not looking past this fight, though. I want to show people how hard I’ve been working to get to this point. If anyone makes any mistakes, it’s going to be him and I’m going to make him pay.”
