Roger, his shorts soaked in blood, with his team at Strikeforce in Portland, Oregon: Renzo, Joinha, Ed Soares, Rilion and Chinzo Machida / Personal archive photo

The Strikeforce promotion put on a memorable evening in Portland, Oregon, thanks to the two title fights; a handful of ex-UFC fighters; a win from Ryan Couture, the son of a legend; and the Gracie on the card. In the audience, stars like MC Hammer brightened up the night.

Roger Gracie made his debut as a middleweight and demonstrated confidence, after suffering a knockout at the hands of King Mo and bidding farewell to the light heavyweight division. Having done a stint training with Lyoto Machida at Black House in Los Angeles, Roger displayed his newfound skill at slipping punches and safely closed the distance on Keith Jardine to take him to the ground.

With exception to the third round, Roger managed to wrestle his opponent to the ground and masterfully control the former UFC fighter throughout. Round one saw him mount and rain punches and elbows down on Jardine’s face, opening up gashes in the process. The Gracie looked set to bring a close to the bout in the final seconds, but the bell cut short his attack.

In the scond round, Roger got his chin out of harm’s way in the nick of time and again drug Jardine down. There, the Gracie saw his best shot at a decisive win, mounting, sinking his hooks, then a figure-four around the waist, before mounting and launching an arm-and-neck-choke assault. Again the bell sounded, and the five minutes of the round were not enough to conclude the encounter.

In the third and final round, with both fighters showing fatigue, Roger only managed to keep Jardine at a distance with jabs and push kicks, biding his time till the final bell.

“I’m glad I got to put my game to practice. I took him to the ground and controlled him but he was slippery from so much blood and knew how to hang on. I kind of wore out in the third round, but I think I left a few too many kilos to lose till the last minute, and that resulted in my fatiguing at the end,” explained Roger while still in the gray cage. “But I’m satisfied; every time I step into the ring to represent Jiu-Jitsu and my family makes me happy.”

When it was all over, the score cards came in deeming the three-time absolute world champion of Jiu-Jitsu the victor by unanimous decision.

“It’s a really important result for me, especially because I’m coming off a knockout loss. Keith’s a tough guy who’s beaten a lot of good guys before. I hope to tire less next time around. I was affected some by the weight-cut. That’s the biggest lesson for me in this fight—cutting weight properly and smoothly. It was good that he got tired too, though,” remarked Roger.

In the rest of the card, former UFC star Nate Marquardt had his work cut out for him in overcoming a game Tyron Woodley and his mother, who cheered the fighter on from start to finish. Following a three-round, back-and-forth standup firefight, the fourth frame saw Marquardt land two elbows that unseated Woodley, and a hook sealed the deal.

Now in the evening’s main event, Luke Rockhold got the better of Tim Kennedy for five rounds and took the unanimous decision. Check out the complete results:

Strikeforce
Portland, Oregon, USA
July 14, 2012

Luke Rockhold defeated Tim Kennedy via unanimous judges’ decision;
Nate Marquardt defeated Tyron Woodley via KO in R4;
Roger Gracie defeated Keith Jardine via unanimous decision;
Lorenz Larkin defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous judges’ decision;
Jorge Masvidal defeated Justin Wilcox via split decision;
Pat Healy defeated Mizuto Hirota via unanimous decision;
Jordan Mein defeated Tyler Stinson via unanimous decision;
Jason High tapped out Nate Moore via guillotine in R1;
Ryan Couture defeated Joe Duarte via split decision.

Roger, bermuda suja de sangue, com a equipe no Strikeforce, em Portland: Renzo, Joinha, Ed Soares, Rilion e Chinzo Machida. Foto: Arquivo Pessoal

Foi uma noite memorável para o Strikeforce em Portland, Oregon, graças a um card com duas disputas de cinturões, alguns tantos ex-lutadores do UFC, uma (boa) luta de Ryan Couture, filho da lenda, e ainda um Gracie no card. Na plateia, astros como MC Hammer enfeitavam a noite.

Roger Gracie estreou no peso médio (até 84kg) e mostrou confiança, ele que estava vindo de um nocaute no peso meio-pesado, pelos punhos de King Mo. Após uma série de treinos com Lyoto Machida na Black House, em Los Angeles, Roger apresentou boas esquivas e investidas com segurança para colar em Keith Jardine e botar para baixo.

Com exceção do terceiro assalto, Roger conseguiu derrubar e exercer amplo domínio no ex-lutador do UFC. Na primeira parcial, montou e desceu os murros e cotovelos no oponente, abrindo cortes no rosto de Jardine. O Gracie partiu para definir nos últimos segundos, mas o gongo soou sem a finalização.

No segundo assalto, Roger tirou o queixo da reta na hora certa e levou Jardine novamente para baixo. Foi a melhor chance do Gracie na luta, quando ele montou, botou os ganchos, encaixou o triângulo nas costas, voltou a montar e tentou o katagatame. Novamente, na última hora o gongo soou, e os cinco minutos não foram suficientes para o bote certeiro.

No terceiro e último assalto, com ambos cansados, Roger apenas manteve Jardine à distância com jabs e chutes frontais, esperando o gongo soar.

“Fiquei feliz por ter conseguido botar meu jogo em prática, levei ele para o chão e controlei, mas ele estava escorregadio, muito por causa do sangue, e soube resistir. Cansei um pouco a mais no terceiro assalto, mas acho que deixei para perder muitos quilos na última hora, e isso acabou resultando no meu cansaço no fim”, explicou Roger ainda no cercado cinza. “Mas estou satisfeito, cada vez que piso nesse ringue para representar o Jiu-Jitsu e a família isso me faz mais feliz”.

No fim, as papeletas decretaram a vitória do tricampeão mundial de Jiu-Jitsu por decisão unânime.

“Foi importante o resultado, especialmente por eu ter vindo de um nocaute. Keith é um cara duro que já venceu muita gente boa por aí. Espero cansar menos na próxima vez, senti um pouco o esforço de perder peso. Foi minha maior lição na luta, como perder peso de forma mais correta e suave. O bom foi que ele estava cansado também”, comentou Roger.

Nas demais lutas, o ex-astro do UFC Nate Marquardt teve que suar para vencer o duro Tyron Woodley e sua mãe, que apoiou o lutador do início ao fim. Depois de três rounds de pura trocação e domínio alternando para ambos os lados, no quarto tempo Marquadt acertou duas cotoveladas que desmontaram Woodley, aí mais um gancho selou o resultado final.

Já na confronto principal, Luke Rockhold foi melhor que Tim Kennedy nos cinco assaltos, e levou por decisão unânime dos jurados. Veja os resultados:

Strikeforce
Portland, Estados Unidos
14 de julho de 2012

Luke Rockhold venceu Tim Kennedy por decisão unânime dos jurados
Nate Marquardt venceu Tyron Woodley por KO no R4
Roger Gracie venceu Keith Jardine por decisão unânime
Lorenz Larkin venceu Robbie Lawler por decisão unânime dos jurados
Jorge Masvidal venceu Justin Wilcox por decisão dividida dos jurados
Pat Healy venceu Mizuto Hirota por decisão unânime dos jurados
Jordan Mein venceu Tyler Stinson por decisão unânime dos jurados
Jason High finalizou Nate Moore com uma guilhotina no 1R
Ryan Couture venceu Joe Duarte por decisão dividida dos jurados

Gesias em foto de Carlos Ozório.

Gesias Cavalcante anotou o nome entre os grandes do peso leve mundial, duas vezes campeão do GP no K-1 Heros’s. Agora, JZ quer emplacar nos Estados Unidos, no Strikeforce. Depois de perder na estreia pela organização, o lutador tem nova chance no dia 18 de junho, em Dallas. JZ luta na mesma noite em que Fabrício Werdum e Alistair Overeem combatem no GP de pesos pesados. O adversário do faixa-preta é Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox.

Com nova equipe e empresário (Glenn Robinson), Cavalcante está confiante para voltar a ocupar o topo dos rankings mundiais.

“Nunca tive um suporte assim na minha vida, com uma estrutura profissional e gente esperta cuidando de mim”, diz a fera, antes de comentar sobre o oponente, que vem numa série de seis triunfos.

“É um cara duro, com bons companheiros de treino e uma equipe ponderosa por trás. Estou de olho nisso. Mas estou muito motivado para essa luta e não vou deixar mais na mão dos juízes, como na última vez. Vou vencer por mim, pela minha família e pelo meu time no dia 18 de junho”, completa.

Aguarde mais sobre o Strikeforce aqui no GRACIEMAG.com.

Gesias in photo by Carlos Ozório

Gesias Cavalcante has carved out a place for himself among the big names of the world lightweight division, twice winning the K-1 Heroes GP. Now, JZ wants to make it big in the United States, namely at Strikeforce. After losing his promotional debut, the fighter has a shot at redemption coming up June 18 in Dallas. JZ fights on the same night Fabrício Werdum and Alistair Overeem face off in the heavyweight GP. The black belt’s opponent is Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox.

With a new team and manager (Glenn Robinson), Cavalcante is confident he’ll make it back to the top of world rankings.

“I’ve never had so much support in my life, with professional installations and experts taking care of me,” says the fighter, before remarking about his opponent, who is riding a seven-fight win streak.

“He’s a tough guy, has good teammates and a powerful team behind him. I’m keen to that. But I’m really motivated for this fight and won’t let it go to the judges like last time. I’m going to win for me, for my family, and for my team this June 18,” he adds.

For more on Strikeforce, keep tuned to GRACIEMAG.com.

Justin Wilcox knocked out Rodrigo Damm. Photo: Esther Lin.

Rodrigo Damm was looking to rebuild himself in Strikeforce, but ran into a handful in Justin Wilcox at this Friday’s event in the United States. The American was unforgiving, relentlessly battering the black belt in the first round. With his face mangled, the doctors refused to let the Brazilian return, waving off the bout.

Ealier, Caros Fodor literally massacred David Douglas. With a first-rate ground game, Fodor sunk a number of holds in the first two round, just not finishing the fight because Douglas showed true grit. But he kept firing away, landing two knees and a hook that put Douglas away, forcing the ref to call an end to the fight.

Check out the results:

Strikeforce Challengers 15
California, USA
April 1, 2011

Justin Wilcox defeated Rodrigo Damm via doctor’s intervention in R1
Caros Fodor defeated David Douglas via TKO in R3
Lorenz Larkin defeated Scott Lighty via TKO in R2
James Terry knocked out Josh Thornburg in R1
Damian Douglas defeated Wayne Phillips via split decision
Anthony Avila defeated Rafael Rios via unanimous decision
Robert Escalante submitted Raul Sandoval via armbar in R1
Tristan Arenal submitted Tom Peterson via armbar in R1
Ronald Carillo submitted Adam Antolin via rear-naked choke in R1

(Collaborator: Junior Samurai)

Justin Wilcox nocauteou Rodrigo Damm. Foto: Esther Lin.

Rodrigo Damm buscava a reabilitação no Strikeforce, mas encarou a pedreira Justin Wilcox, nesta sexta-feira, nos Estados Unidos. O americano foi cruel e impiedoso, não poupou o faixa-preta durante toda a primeira parcial. Com o rosto bem avariado, os médicos impediram a volta do casca-grossa, encerrando a peleja.

Mais cedo, Caros Fodor, literalmente, massacrou David Douglas. Com um chão de primeira, Fodor encaixou vários golpes nos dois primeiros giros, só não encerrando a luta porque Douglas é abastado de uma raça impressionante. Mas como o ditado diz: água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura. Fodor aplicou duas joelhadas e um gancho que detonaram Douglas, o que obrigou o juiz a encerrar o duelo.

Confira os resultados:

Strikeforce Challengers 15
Califórnia, Estados Unidos
1º de abril de 2011

Justin Wilcox venceu Rodrigo Damm por interrupção médica no 1R
Caros Fodor venceu David Douglas por TKO no 3R
Lorenz Larkin venceu Scott Lighty por TKO no 2R
James Terry nocauteou Josh Thornburg no 1R
Damian Douglas venceu Wayne Phillips por decisão dividida
Anthony Avila venceu Rafael Rios por decisão unânime
Robert Escalante finalizou Raul Sandoval com um armlock no 1R
Tristan Arenal finalizou Tom Peterson com um armlock no 1R
Ronald Carillo finalizou Adam Antolin com um mata-leão no 1R

(Colaborou Junior Samurai)

Justin in fight with Shaolin. Photo: Esther Lin.

Strikeforce Challengers 12 went down this Friday in Mississippi.

In the evening’s main event, Justin Wilcox overcame Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro via unanimous decision. With the win, Wilcox notches his fifth in a row and fourth in Strikeforce. Shaolin, on the other hand, is seeing hard times, as he loses his third in a row.

“I looked to fight standing. At AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) we have the best standup game,” said Wilcox, now tipped to face the undefeated Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm.

Check out the complete results:

Strikeforce Challengers 12
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
November 9, 2010

Justin Wilcox defeated Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro via unanimous decision
Ovince St. Preux defeated Antwain Britt via unanimous decision
Waachim Spiritwolf versus Marius Zaromskis ended in a no contest
Liz Carmouche defeated Jan Finney via TKO at 1:30 min of R3
Caros Fodor submitted Derek Getzel via choke at 4:39 min of R1
KKent DuBose defeated Travis Robertso via unanimous decision
Joel Cooper submitted Brian Burse via armbar at 1:27 min of R1
Thomas Vasquez defeated Brian Hall via TKO at 2:11 min of R3
Anthony Mitchel submitted Jeffrey Hedgepeth via guillotine at 2:02 min of R1
Jeremiah Riggs defeated James Sharp via unanimous decision
Jacob Noe defeated Wes Little via unanimous decision
Wes Shivers defeated Goldman Butler via KO at 2:15 min of R1

Justin na luta contra Shaolin. Foto: Esther Lin.

Aconteceu nesta sexta-feira, no Mississippi, o Strikeforce Challengers 12.

Na principal luta da noite, Justin Wilcox venceu Vitor Shaolin por decisão unânime. Wilcox chegou à quinta vitória seguida, quarta no Strikeforce. Enquanto isso, a fase não é boa para Shaolin, que acumula três resultados negativos.

“Aguardei para explorar o jogo em pé. Na AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) temos o melhor jogo em pé”, disse Wilcox, agora cotado para enfrentar o invicto Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm.

Confira todos os resultados:

Strikeforce Challengers 12
Jackson, Mississippi, EUA
Dia q9 de novembro de 2010

Justin Wilcox venceu Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro por decisão unânime
Ovince St. Preux venceu Antwain Britt por decisão unânime
Waachim Spiritwolf contra Marius Zaromskis terminou em no-contest
Liz Carmouche venceu Jan Finney por TKO a 1min30s do R3
Caros Fodor finalizou Derek Getzel com um estrangulamento aos 4min39s do R1
KKent DuBose venceu Travis Robertso por decisão unânime
Joel Cooper finalizou Brian Burse com uma chave de braço a 1min27s do R1
Thomas Vasquez venceu Brian Hall por TKO aos 2min11s do R3
Anthony Mitchel finalizou Jeffrey Hedgepeth com uma guilhotina aos 2min2s do R1
Jeremiah Riggs venceu James Sharp por decisão unânime
Jacob Noe venceu Wes Little por decisão unânime
Wes Shivers venceu Goldman Butler por KO aos 2min15s do R1

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.

Nosso GMA, Vitor Ribeiro, o Shaolin, tem data e adversário para voltar ao cage do Strikeforce. 

Depois de ser derrotado na estreia pela organização, numa decisão polêmica contra Lyle Beerbohm, o faixa-preta vai ter pela frente Justin “The Silverback’’ Wilcox, no dia 19 de novembro. 

A luta de Vitor, hoje professor da Vitor Shaolin BJJ, em Manhattan, vai ser a principal do show. 

Para saber mais sobre o nosso GMA, acesse bjjnewyorkcity.com.

Strikeforce has confirmed that Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro will be in the November 19 event to be held in Jackson, Mississippi. The black belt, coming off a loss on his organizational debut, will face Justin Wilcox.

Another draw confirmed for the show is Ryan Couture, son of famed Randy Couture. Ryan is coming off a win on his Strikeforce debut, where he won via triangle choke in the first round. His opponent is yet to be confirmed.