AKA-trained former bodybuilder ready to take on Ribeiro. Photo: Publicity.

Jackson, Mississippi (Nov. 16, 2010) – Feeling like he wasn’t getting the competition he craved, former college wrestler turned competitive bodybuilder Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox decided to give Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) a try five years ago. He’s been hooked ever since.

Now, Wilcox finds himself in the biggest fight of his career, taking on lightweight (155 pounds) star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro in the headlining fight of a Strikeforce Challengers event on Friday, Nov. 19, at Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Mississippi, Live on Showtime® at 11 p.m. ET/PT, (delayed on the West Coast).

Wilcox (9-3), a 31-year-old former NCAA wrestling star, has won his last four starts. In his most recent outing on March 26, he registered a unanimous decision over Shamar Bailey at Strikeforce Challengers in Fresno, California, the city where his family currently resides.

A member of San Jose, Calif.’s Team AKA, one of the most fearsome fight teams in the world that also plays home to Strikeforce superstars Josh Thomson and Cung Le, Wilcox wrestled for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and is from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Wilcox recently fielded six questions from Strikeforce’s director of communications, Mike Afromowitz:

What do you think about Vitor Ribeiro? He thought he beat Lyle Beerbohm (he lost a split decision May 15) in his last fight. What did you think?

I think it could have gone either way. I think he looked good. I know he’s a four-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion and he’s 20-4. I’m not underestimating him in the least. I know people think there won’t be a lot of striking; that we’re both going to want to get it to the ground. Wherever he wants to take it is fine by me. I have faith in my ground game and I’m working with Dave Camarillo at AKA, just an incredible Jiu-Jitsu coach.

What’s it like training at the AKA gym in San Jose?

It’s been awesome. It’s one of the top gyms in the world. I don’t see myself training anywhere else. Going into my fights I don’t get too nervous because I’m training against such high-level guys and some world champions. The gym is so complete. You don’t have to travel to get high-level boxing or high-level wrestling. It’s all right there. That’s why I love it so much.

Who’s the toughest guy you ever fought?

Each opponent has had his strong points. They’ve all been tough. I don’t take any of them lightly. If I had to pick one I would say the (Daisuke) Nakamura fight (which Wilcox won by unanimous decision on Dec. 19, 2009). I had to take the fight on two weeks notice. He was such a high-level opponent.

In your first professional fight in 2006 you beat Bobby Voelker, another Cincinnati fighter (who scored a major victory over previously undefeated Roger Bowling last Oct. 22 on Strikeforce Challengers on Showtime). Does that seem like a long time ago?

That was also a tough one. I was just a wrestler back then. Everything he could throw at me he did. People after that fight were like, ‘Wow, wait till you get that chin.’ I don’t know. I just want to keep moving forward. That was my first fight. Bobby’s had some success recently with Strikeforce which is great. We’re kind of on the same path. He’s a great kid. I like Bobby a lot.

Is there any opponent you’d like to face? Where do you see yourself in the sport in a year?

I see myself wearing that belt. Each fight is one step closer to that belt. That’s what I see myself going after and being a world champion. Whoever they put in front of me is fine. Whoever has the belt at the time is who I want to fight and who I want to beat.”

What do you like to do in your free time?

I just really like to hang out with my three-year-old daughter Natalie and being with my family. I’m up here in San Jose training and they are down in Fresno so I go down on weekends and see them a lot. Just being with my little girl and my wife Leslie is what makes me happy. Just hanging out and spending time with the family.

Cain Velasquez in his victory over Rodrigo Minotauro. Photo: Josh Hedges

Cain Velasquez shocked the world in his last outing in the UFC with a stunning knockout of Rodrigo Minotauro, one of the greatest MMA heavyweights of all times. A man of simple customs, who avoids the spotlight, the fighter quietly came up the ranks and is now one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s main heavyweights. The US born son of Mexicans recently spoke with our correspondent Nalty Jr, for an interview published in NOCAUTE magazine. GRACIEMAG.com brings you the best from the conversation.

How long have you been training MMA?

It’s been three years since I started.

How did you get your shot at fighting in the UFC?

I only had two fights and wanted to fight in other events before the UFC. But it was tough and my manager said, “There’s no way to wait any longer, it’s time to fight in the UFC.” He called them, made Dana White an offer and we went to Las Vegas. Dana watched me fight standing with two fighters and then on the ground with two more. He liked what he saw and said I was a UFC athlete.

Which fighters are role models to you?

I like watching Fedor’s fights a lot; he’s the best MMA fighter. I’m inspired by his way of fighting. But I also find inspiration in my coaches. They always show me what to do and how to do it. But Fedor has a lot of wins, with good performances, and that’s why people want to see him fight.

You’re a wrestler, but have won a lot of fights by knockout…

I trained a lot of standup, but I always use my wrestling, even when going for the knockout. I like getting the takedown and going for ground and pound.

Do you feel any pressure for being undefeated?

I don’t. I’m just aware I have to keep training hard. I don’t care what people say. What I have to do is be prepared to beat my opponents.

Your father is really important to you, correct?

He’s my hero. My father worked hard to give my family everything. He crossed the border to the United States and was deported seven times. He’s my role model. My father’s a warrior.

What’s your breakdown of the UFC heavyweight division?

Now the category is tough. The UFC always brings in new fighters. It will just keep getting tougher.

How do you deal with the attention from the media?

I’m certainly getting more of that now, but I’m not taken by it. I’m in a sport and have to concentrate on training to do well in my fights. I’d rather just keep quiet and focus on training.

What do you know about Brazil, where Rodrigo Minotauro is from?

Just what they tell me. They say it’s a pretty country, that the food is really good and there’s a lot of good training.

What do you tell fighters who are just starting out in MMA?

The first thing is to find a good gym, with all types of training for MMA and a good team. Have lots of dedication and determination. It’s not easy. You have to be disciplined and train hard every day. School is also important. I started wrestling in college. It’s not just about training. You also need to finish your studies to be a good fighter and person.