Vitor Ribeiro vs. Justin Wilcox

The main event of Strikeforce Challengers 12 had Shooto, Dream, and K1-Hero's veteran Vitor Ribeiro taking on Justin Wilcox. Ribeiro was on a two-fight losing streak heading into the contest and 0-1 in Strikeforce competition. Wilcox was 3-1 in Strikeforce and on a four fight win streak overall.

Wilcox came out landing with jabs while Ribeiro cautiously circled. Ribeiro fell to his back, trying to goad Wilcox into a ground battle, but Wilcox had no interest in grappling the jiu-jitsu champion. Wilcox continued his boxing attack and slipped out of a single leg takedown attempt. Ribeiro was unable to mount much offense except for an occasional jab, likely giving the opening round to Wilcox.

Ribeiro employed good footwork in round two yet it was Wilcox who landed the greater volume of punches. Wilcox calmly sprawled out of a Ribeiro takedown attempt and delivered an uppercut as his opponent stood back up. Another overhand right from Wilcox caused a more noticeable flow of blood from Ribeiro's nose. The second round closed with Wilcox continuing to control the standup-oriented fight.

"Shaolin" shot in for another single leg takedown at the start of round three, and while he came closer than any previous attempt, was rebuffed again by Wilcox. Ribeiro seemed unable to find any way to seize control of the fight despite winding up and missing with increasingly bigger punches. Wilcox had no trouble avoiding the takedown attempts and boxed his way towards the end of the bout. A flying knee by Ribeiro was too little too late, and fight concluded with Wilcox having implemented a perfect gameplan.

All three judges scored the bout 30-27 for Justin Wilcox, the unanimous decision victor. In post fight comments with Mauro Ranallo Wilcox commented, "At AKA we've got the best stand-up; Cain Velasquez and soon you'll see Josh Koscheck."