Vitor Ribeiro Signs With Strikeforce

by Robert Sargent

Once a top-five ranked lightweight in the world, former DREAM and K-1 HERO's star Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro has signed with Strikeforce and will look to become an immediate contender among the promotion's competitive lightweight division.

Ribeiro (20-3-0) returned to competition at Dream.8 following an 18-month layoff due to injury and will look to get his career back on-track in Strikeforce.

A former champion in Shooto and consistent top-10 ranked competitor for years, Ribeiro has battled through a tumultuous time in his career since his 35-second destruction at the hands of Gesias "JZ Calvan" Calvancante in the semi-finals of the 2007 HERO's Middleweight (154-Pound) Grand Prix.

He underwent eye surgery following the bout and was out of action for over 18 months. Returning to competition at Dream.8 against Katsuhiko Nagata, Ribeiro got back on the winning track, but dropped a lopsided Unanimous Decision to Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki at Dream.10. With the loss, Ribeiro has now lost two of his last three bouts.

However, Ribeiro's submission skills are matched by extremely few fighters in the lightweight division and he will pose endless problems for much of the Strikeforce roster at 155 pounds. Current Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson and Interim Lightweight Champion Gilbert "El Niņo" Melendez both possess solid skills on the ground, but neither can compete with Ribeiro if the fight stays on the mat.

Already holding wins over top Japanese stars Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri and "The Endless Fighter" Mitsuhiro Ishida, Ribeiro has also defeated reigning DREAM Lightweight Champion Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen and will look to add members of the Strikeforce roster to his list of victims.

Typically involved in exciting bouts, Ribeiro will be a welcome addition for Strikeforce.