The August match-up was revealed through a press release from Villefort’s representatives at Authentic Sports Management.

“I’m sure he’s going to be ready, but my job is to beat him down,” explained Villefort when asked what the public should expect. “With James, I’m going to make a statement to let all the 185-pounders know I’m here, and that I’m going to take over the middleweight division, starting on August 12.”

“Indio” has gone 9-1 since 2007 and is currently on a four fight winning streak including back-to-back victories over Matt Horwich and Joey Villasenor in addition to a pair of first frame knockouts. A polished competitor, Villefort has scored finishing performances in ten of his bouts with an even split between strike/submission stoppages.

Striikeforce Challengers 18 is headlined by always-exciting lightweight Jorge Gurgel in action against 9-2 finisher Joe Duarte and will also feature appearances from Gian Villante and Pat Healy.

An area product, “The Future” has been brilliant as of late with eight wins in his last nine fights including a third round TKO of David Douglas last April at Strikeforce Challengers 15. The showing marked Fodor’s first career victory by way of strikes with six submissions in his seven previous instances of success.

Though Terry is in a similar position professionally, having also exited the evening with his hands raised in three straight outings like Fodor, he is certainly different from a stylistic standpoint with four TKOs to his credit including opening round finishes in his last two fights. However, the 10-2 Californian has yet to tap an opponent out in any of his ten total wins.

In earlier action, Couture looks to continue his winning ways against Matt Ricehouse (4-0) who also has yet to taste defeat in his young career. The son of MMA legend Randy Couture is 2-0 thus far since turning pro a year ago.

Additionally, the aforementioned Larkin will go for his eleventh straight win after wowing fans at Strikeforce Challengers 15 with a unique arsenal of strikes en route to a second round smashing of Scott Lighty. The dynamic 24-year old will take on 7-2 Gian Villante who has finished all seven of the opponents he’s defeated including five TKOs.

Also set for a Strikeforce Challengers showdown in June, 13-3 Danillo Villefort will make his promotional debut in the form of a fight against powerful Strikeforce veteran Antwain Britt and female Muay Thai champion Germaine de Randamie will look to improve her MMA record to 3-1 against Julia Budd.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

According to middleweight grappler Matt Horwich by way of Facebook, he will attempt to end 27-year old Brazilian Danillo Villefort‘s current three-fight win streak on the main card with the match-up being shown live as part of a HDNet broadcast.

The 26-17-1 Horwich is coming off a TKO win over highly-decorated amateur wrestler Jake Rosholt this past November. Prior to the strike-based success “Suave” had gone 1-1 with a split decision loss in Bellator to Eric Schambari and submission win over former UFC title-contender Thales Leites.

The fight will be Villefort’s second under the Shark Fights banner with a unanimous decision win over respected veteran Joey Villasenor last September at Shark Fights 13. The American Top Team product is 12-3 including eight wins in his last nine fights. He has yet to be tapped in his career while twenty of Horwich’s total victories have come by way of submission.

Comparably, Masvidal weighed in at 168.75 pounds and will be looking for a second consecutive win by beating the powerful striker. He is 20-5 in his career and most recently won a split decision over Naoyuki Kotani last April.

The evening’s main event between Keith Jardine and Trevor Prangley had no such stumbling blocks with both fighters actually coming in below the “205″ mark. Jardine registered in at 204.5 pounds, while sometimes-middleweight Prangley came in at 202.75 pounds.

Here is a complete rundown of results from the Shark Fights 13 weigh-in:

Pete Spratt (170.25 lbs) vs. Eric Davila (176.5 lbs)*
Karen Darabedyan (155.75 lbs) vs. Daniel Straus (152.75 lbs)
Devin Cole (233.25 lbs) vs. Aaron Rosa (241.75 lbs)
Paul Bradley (170.5 lbs) vs. John Reese (169.25 lbs)
Douglas Evans (144.25 lbs) vs. Ronnie Mann (144.75 lbs)
Brock Larson (170.75 lbs) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (169.75 lbs)
Joey Villasenor (185.5 lbs) vs. Danillo Villefort (184.5 lbs)
Paul Daley (171.75 lbs) vs. Jorge Masvidal (168.75 lbs)**
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (204.5 lbs) vs. Houston Alexander (202.25 lbs)
Keith Jardine (204.5 lbs) vs. Trevor Prangley (202.75 lbs)

* – Spratt agreed to a catch-weight bout with Davila
** – Daley will forfeit 10% of his “show” pay to Masvidal for the infraction

As the son of Vale Tudo legend Francisco “Master Indio” Silva, Villefort (11-3-0) was raised in competition. The seasoned Brazilian fighter holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has fought for notable organizations such as the IFL, WEC, and the UFC. He now trains out of Florida at American Top Team. Villefort holds notable wins over top contenders such as Mike Massenzio and Mike Campbell.

Darabedyan will now face Team Vision fighter Straus (12-3-0). Straus is a highly skilled, well-rounded fighter, known for grinding it out to the bitter end. Six of Straus’s twelve wins have come by way of decision. Straus is currently riding an eight fight win streak that includes a recent Bellator Fighting Championship win over Chad Hinton and a unanimous decision victory over UFC veteran Gideon Ray.

Updated card for Shark Fights 13:

Pete Spratt vs. Eric Davila
Daniel Straus vs. Karen Darabedyan
Paul Bradley vs. Johnny Reese
Aaron Rosa vs. Devin Cole
Ronnie Mann vs. Douglas Evans
Brock Larson vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Joey Villasenor vs. Danillo Villefort
Paul Daley vs. Jorge Masvidal
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Houston Alexander
Keith Jardine vs. Trevor Prangley

MMAjunkie.com was the first to break the news earlier this afternoon, and FiveOuncesOfPain.com has since confirmed the report during an exclusive interview with Villefort.

“I’m pretty happy and I’ve just signed a six fight deal,” the native Brazilian confirmed. “My dad is here (in Florida) and I just told him and he’s so happy. I just want to fight now and represent my team and my family.”

For Villefort, getting the call to compete in the Octagon is a realization of a longtime dream.

“(Competing in the UFC) is not just a dream, it’s the dream,” said Villefort. “My first exposure to the UFC was when Vitor Belfort fought (in the organization) a long time ago. Since that time I’ve had the dream and now that dream is coming true.”

Villefort is 9-2 since making his MMA debut in April of 2005, winning via armbar submission against BetoBeto while competing in the Conquista Fight Promotion in Brazil.

Currently on a five fight win streak, Villefort is also a one-time veteran of the International Fight League in addition to the WEC. He was signed by the IFL after being discovered during its New York tryout camp in October of 2007.

After going through a series of grappling and kickboxing drills, Villefort was asked by IFL officials to demonstrate his wares during a full contact fight. However, with a fight scheduled just one week later in Florida Villefort was initially cautious. But when told not fighting could prevent him from becoming a draft finalist, Villefort showed little hesistancy in climbing into the ring.

Villefort not only won his IFL qualifying bout but defeated Todd Carney the following weekend at World Fighting Championships 5 after recording a TKO due to punches at 1:31 of round 2.

Villefort made his official IFL debut last May in Connecticut against current UFC middleweight prospect Mike Massenzio. Despite entering the fight as the underdog, Villefort won after forcing Massenzio to tap to a kneebar at 3:25 of round 1.

Soon after the IFL folded, Villefort was signed by the WEC. He debut for the promotion was at WEC 38 this past January, where he recorded a first round TKO over Mike Campbell.

Villefort was a finalist at the International Fight League’s 2007 Draft tryouts in New York and debuted for the now-defunct promotion with an upset victory over Mike Massenzio on May 16 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Competing on a one-fight contract, the IFL did not attempt to re-sign Villefort while on the verge of financial collapse and the rising middleweight prospect received an offer from the Zuffa-owned WEC soon after.

With a move to the UFC’s middleweight division out of the question after having yet to compete for the WEC, it was thought that Villefort’s contract with Zuffa could be in jeopardy. However, according to a report by the Brazilian website Tatame, Villefort is remaining with the WEC and will move to the promotion’s welterweight division.

Villefort, a native of Brazil, has indicated that both his WEC and welterweight debut is now set for WEC 38 on January 25 in San Diego against an unnamed opponent.

The 8-2 prospect normally walks around at 205 pounds but believes he’ll be able to make the cut safely due to the team’s renowned training staff.

“I (haven’t weighed) 170 pounds since I was 17-years old,” Villefort revealed in an interview with Tatame. “But I don’t know if you ever heard about  (André) Benkei. It’s him who’s making this magic! He makes miracles.”

Villefort is further preparing for the move by changing sparring partners at ATT, opting to work with a lighter group of fighters than before.

“(Normally) I`d train with Thiago Silva and Wilson Gouveia, but I’m (on) the diet and if I don’t watch out in training, I can hurt myself, so I’m already with the 170 guys,” he is quoted as saying. Tatame indicates that Villefort is now sparring with the likes of Gesias Calvancante, Thiago Alves, Gleison Tibau, and Lorenzo Borgomeo.

ProElite.com (SamCaplan.ProElite.com) received a press release this morning announcing that the name of Meyrowitz’s new promotion is “YAMMA Pit Fighting.”

YAMMA Pit Fighting has scheduled its first event for April 11 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ. According to the release, the promotion is planning a series of pay-per-view events, starting with the April event.

Meyrowitz’s new promotion is also promising some new innovations.

“YAMMA Pit Fighting will take a unique approach to the sport by reviving the tournament fighting format and unveiling a new fighting surface that promises to revolutionize the traditional MMA approach,” the release states.

Live Nation, a subsidiary of Clear Channel, has been previously reported as a financial backer in Meyrowitz’s new promotion.

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