snakerattle79
09-25-2009, 03:11 PM
http://mmajunkie.com/news/16300/strikeforce-inks-lightweight-notable-vitor-shaolin-ribeiro-to-multi-fight-deal.mma
Strikeforce today added some depth to its lightweight division with the signing of Brazilian jiu-jitsu prodigy and MMA standout Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-3).
Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz today confirmed the signing with MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com).
Ribeiro, now based in New York City, has recently competed for the Japanese-based DREAM organization and has bounced between the U.S., U.K. and Japan throughout his career his eight-year career.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and no debut date has been set for the Brazilian fighter. Ribeiro, though, hopes to land on the Nov. 6 CBS card or a Showtime-televised event in December.
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.
Ribeiro will be an immediate contender in Strikeforce's lightweight division, which features Josh Thomson as its current champion and Gilbert Melendez as the interim title-holder. Contenders include the undefeated Billy Evangelista and Lyle Beerbohm, UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel and the entertaining Nam Phan, among others.
Strikeforce today added some depth to its lightweight division with the signing of Brazilian jiu-jitsu prodigy and MMA standout Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-3).
Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz today confirmed the signing with MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com).
Ribeiro, now based in New York City, has recently competed for the Japanese-based DREAM organization and has bounced between the U.S., U.K. and Japan throughout his career his eight-year career.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and no debut date has been set for the Brazilian fighter. Ribeiro, though, hopes to land on the Nov. 6 CBS card or a Showtime-televised event in December.
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.
Ribeiro will be an immediate contender in Strikeforce's lightweight division, which features Josh Thomson as its current champion and Gilbert Melendez as the interim title-holder. Contenders include the undefeated Billy Evangelista and Lyle Beerbohm, UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel and the entertaining Nam Phan, among others.