Matches to Make After Strikeforce Challengers 15

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They call him “The Silverback” for a reason.

Fast-rising American Kickboxing Academy lightweight Justin Wilcox mauled Rodrigo Damm in the Strikeforce Challengers 15 headliner on Friday at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calf., forcing a doctor’s stoppage in between rounds one and two. His sixth straight triumph likely forces the hands of matchmakers and puts him in position for higher-profile matchups.

In fact, Wilcox has posted 10 wins in his last 11 starts dating back to March 2007, losing only to the respected Mitsuhiro Ishida in that span. The San Jose, Calif.-based lightweight reminds many of former UFC champion Sean Sherk, only with more juice in his punches and kicks. Wilcox has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the 155-pound division, and a showdown with Strikeforce lightweight kingpin Gilbert Melendez may not be far off; but first things first.

A closer look at four matches we want to see after Strikeforce Challengers 15 “Wilcox vs. Damm” follows:

Justin Wilcox vs. Pat Healy: A captivating blend of poise, power, speed and technique, Wilcox finds himself in a rapid rise up the lightweight ladder. He has rattled off four quality wins in a row against Pride Fighting Championships veteran Daisuke Nakamura, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 13 quarterfinalist Shamar Bailey, four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Vitor Ribeiro and Damm. The latter had no answer for Wilcox’s firepower on the feet and on the ground. The AKA standout wobbled Damm with a head kick, dropped him with a straight right hand and chewed him up from the top position. It was a scene of complete and utter dominance. A 43-fight veteran who holds wins over Dan Hardy, Carlos Condit and Canadian prospect Ryan Ford, Healy has plenty of momentum in his own corner. The 28-year-old former welterweight handed Lyle Beerbohm his first career defeat in February and figures to provide a stout test for almost anyone at 155 pounds with his experience, wrestling chops and toughness.

Lorenz Larkin vs. Ovince St. Preux: To say Larkin opened a few eyes in his promotional debut would be mocked as a gross understatement. The unbeaten California-based prospect walked through Scott Lighty at Strikeforce Challengers 15, as he put away the John Hackleman protégé on second-round strikes. Larkin, who has finished his last seven foes, blitzed Lighty from the outset and put his electrifying standup skills on display. Leg kicks, dizzying combinations, heavy ground-and-pound and a pair of finishing uppercuts chopped down Lighty in a one-sided affair, as Larkin emerged as an immediate threat in the 205-pound division. A gifted athlete who played college football at the University of Tennessee, St. Preux has won his last seven fights. Included among the 27-year-old victims are eight-, 47- and 75-second finishes. Just imagine the fireworks between these two.

Caros Fodor vs. Jorge Gurgel: At a show replete with impressive performances, Fodor’s may have been the best. The talented Matt Hume disciple wrecked the rugged David Douglas in the clinch, as he wore down the Californian in close quarters. Fodor showed no real weaknesses in the third-round technical knockout. He was excellent on the feet, in the clinch and on the ground, clearly establishing himself as a prospect worth watching at 155 pounds. Fodor remains unbeaten in three starts under the Strikeforce banner. Gurgel posted his first submission victory in more than six years at Strikeforce “Henderson vs. Feijao” in March, when he needed less than a minute to submit Billy Vaughan. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who invites firefights, he would represent a significant step up in competition for Fodor and could provide a better understanding of where he stands in terms of his progression from prospect to contender.

James Terry vs. Roger Bowling: Terry tore through Josh Thornburg in the first round, as he knocked out the Cesar Gracie Fight Team representative with a crackling counter right hand. A protégé of former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le, he has won three fights in a row and five of his last six. Neither of his past two foes survived the first round against him. Bowling, despite his October defeat to Bobby Voelker, remains an intriguing prospect at 170 pounds. The once-beaten 28-year-old Team Vision representative returned to form in March, when he thrashed Thornburg for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision. A stout striker, Bowling could test Terry with his athleticism and considerable standup skills.