Wilcox, Damm Set for Strikeforce Challengers 15

Seeking his sixth consecutive victory, American Kickboxing Academy representative Justin Wilcox knocks at the door of lightweight relevance.

Wilcox checked in at 155.2 pounds for his showdown with Sengoku Raiden Championship veteran Rodrigo Damm (155.8) in the Strikeforce Challengers 15 headliner on Friday at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif. The eight other men slated for duty on the televised card -- including AMC Pankration prospect Caros Fodor (155.4) and Cesar Gracie protégé David Douglas (154) -- also made weight without incident at Thursday’s official weigh-in.

Based in San Jose, Calif., Wilcox has won five fights in a row and nine of his past 10. The 31-year-old former bodybuilder last appeared at Strikeforce Challengers 12 in November, when he earned a unanimous decision over four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Vitor Ribeiro at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss. Victories over former WEC lightweight titleholder Gabe Ruediger, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 13 cast member Shamar Bailey and Pride Fighting Championships veteran Daisuke Nakamura anchor Wilcox’s resume. He has secured eight of his 10 wins by decision.

Damm enters the match headed in the opposite direction, having lost three of his last four. The 31-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has not competed since SRC 13 in June, when he succumbed to second-round punches from the gifted Maximo Blanco at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Damm owns notable victories against American Top Team’s Jorge Masvidal and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 9 alum Santino Defranco.

Strikeforce Challengers 15 -- which also features a light heavyweight tilt pitting John Hackleman disciple Scott Lighty (205.4) against unbeaten prospect Lorenz Larkin (205.8), a welterweight duel pairing James Terry (164.2) with Josh Thornburg (163.6) and a welterweight matchup between Wayne Phillips (170.2) and Damion Douglas (168.6) -- will air on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Strikeforce Challengers 15
Friday, April 1
Stockton Arena
Stockton, Calif.

Justin Wilcox (155.2) vs. Rodrigo Damm (155.8)
Lorenz Larkin (205.8) vs. Scott Lighty (**205.4)
David Douglas (154) vs. Caros Fodor (155.4)
James Terry (164.2) vs. Josh Thornburg (163.6)
Damion Douglas (168.6) vs. Wayne Phillips (170.2)
Anthony Avila (149.8) vs. Rafael Rios (149.4)
Robert Escalante (130) vs. Raul Sandoval (130.6)
Tristan Arenal (*156) vs. Tom Peterson (155.2)
Adam Antolin (125.4) vs. Ronald Carillo (124.6)

* Arenal made weight on his follow-up try.

** Lighty successfully hit his marks at 8:52 p.m. ET.

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