Sterling Ford Makes a Quick Turn to Welcome Milton Vieira at Strikeforce Challengers 18

Milton Vieira was all set to make his Strikeforce debut against Bobby Green at Strikeforce Challengers 18 on Aug. 12 in Las Vegas. But that was before Lyle Beerbohm got injured and the deck was shuffled.

Beerbohm was supposed to have fought Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante at this weekend’s Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson in Chicago. When he had to drop out due to a rib injury, Green was pulled from the Challengers card to fight Cavalcante.

Not to fear, Strikeforce matchmaker Sean Shelby has a back-up plan.

Unscathed and fresh off of a win over Brian McLaughlin at Strikeforce Challengers 17 on July 22, Sterling Ford agreed to make a quick turn to welcome Vieira to the promotion.

Strikeforce officials announced the bout on Thursday.

Vieira (12-7-1) is a member of the famed Brazilian Top Team in Rio de Janeiro, and is credited with creating the Anaconda choke. The 32-year-old has been fighting in mixed martial arts competition for the past decade, primarily in Japan and Brazil. This will mark just his second professional bout on U.S. soil.

Ford (13-4) has now won six consecutive fights. And stepping up on short notice when the call came sure won’t hurt his stock with company execs.

UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel squares off with Joe Duarte in the Strikeforce Challengers 18 main event.