Strikeforce Finalizes ‘Heavy Artillery’ Lineup

Four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and former Shooto lightweight titleholder Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro will meet the undefeated Lyle Beerbohm in his promotional debut at Strikeforce “Heavy Artillery” this Saturday at the Scottrade Centre in St. Louis. Strikeforce officials on Monday finalized a 12-bout lineup for the event.

Spawned by the same Nova Uniao camp that produced current World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion Jose Aldo, Ribeiro has not competed since he dropped a unanimous decision to Shinya Aoki at Dream 10 in July. The 31-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has secured 11 of his 20 career victories by submission and owns notable wins against one-time Shooto welterweight king Tatsuya Kawajiri, former Dream lightweight titleholder Joachim Hansen and 2008 Dream lightweight grand prix quarter-finalist Mitsuhiro Ishida.

Beerbohm last appeared in September, when he stopped Josh Martin on first-round elbow strikes in just 89 seconds at an Arena Rumble show. Wins over UFC veterans Duane Ludwig and Rafaello Oliveiro anchor his resume. A 31-year-old convicted felon who has become one of the sport’s most inspirational figures, Beerbohm spent a year in federal prison on crimes related to his crystal methamphetamine addiction.

Another unbeaten performer will join Beerbohm on the undercard, as Jesse Finney collides with Justin DeMoney in a welterweight matchup.

Perfect through four fights as a professional, the St. Louis-based Finney has never gone the distance. In fact, none of his first four opponents have survived the first round against him. The 35-year-old made a successful Strikeforce debut in June, as he submitted Josh Bumgarner with an opening-round keylock. Finney was the head coach of the St. Louis Enforcers, who competed inside Chuck Norris’ World Combat League.

DeMoney last fought in October, when he struck Jesse Sanders into submission under the Extreme Challenge banner. Unbeaten in his past nine fights, the 24-year-old Ottumwa, Idaho, native has secured more than half (eight) of his 13 career wins by submission. DeMoney has been finished only once in 16 professional appearances.

Other preliminary matchups at “Heavy Artillery” will pit Lee Brousseau against Francisco France, Michael Chandler against Sal Woods, Thomas Aaron against Eric Steenberg, Greg Wilson against Matt Ricehouse and Darryl Cobb against Booker DeRousse.

A heavyweight title bout pairing champion Alistair Overeem with once-beaten challenger Brett Rogers will headline the event, which will air live on Showtime. Overeem has not defended the belt since he won it in November 2007. In the co-feature, former UFC heavyweight king Andrei Arlovski will collide with Antonio Silva.