Two more bouts have been added to the undercard of Strikeforce Challengers 19. Promotion officials confirmed the addition of welterweight contests Magno Almeida (9-2) vs. James Terry (10-3) and Jerron Peoples (4-1) vs. Joe Ray (5-2).
Almeida is a heralded Brazilian prospect from Fenix Fight Club that carries a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Known for his floor wizardry, the 26-year-old has collected eight of his wins by first-round submission, including a victory over WEC-veteran Mike Campbell via rear-naked choke last September.
Terry is a 31-year-old Strikeforce veteran, holding seven appearances under the promotion's banner. The American trains at Cung Le's Universal Strength Headquarters and is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Caros Fodor that snapped a three-fight win streak.
Peoples is a six-foot tall welterweight known throughout the southwest from his explosive knockout power. After opening his career with four straight knockout victories in Rage in the Cage and Gladiators Challenge, the Team Lights Out representative fell to Eduardo Pamplona midway through the first round of his Strikeforce debut for the first defeat of his professional career.
Ray is an up-and-coming American Top Team prospect with two Strikeforce fights already under his belt. The 26-year-old Muay Thai specialist last fought on the undercard of June's ‘Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum' event, losing to Nah-Shon Burrell via unanimous decision.
Strikeforce Challengers 19 is scheduled for September 23rd at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a light heavyweight fight between promotion veterans Lorenz Larkin and Virgil Zwicker.
Updated Strikeforce Challengers 19 fight card:
Main card (broadcasted on Showtime):
Light Heavyweight: Lorenz Larkin vs. Virgil Zwicker
Lightweight: Ryan Couture vs. Maka Watson
Heavyweight: Lavar Johnson vs. Shawn Jordan
Welterweight: Brian Melancon vs. Felipe Portela
Preliminary card:
Lightweight: James Terry vs. Magno Almeida
Welterweight: Joe Ray vs. Jerron Peoples
Welterweight: Jason High vs. Todd Moore*
*unconfirmed