Strikeforce Champ Thomson to Defend Versus Edwards

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion “Punk” Josh Thomson (16-2) will defend his title in a rematch versus Yves Edwards (34-14-1) in San Jose 21 November.

Edwards knocked out Thomson in the first round at UFC 49 in Las Vegas in August 2004.

“This rematch is about winning back something that I let slip through my fingers last  time,” Thomson explained.  “It was a  fluke, but that’s part of the fight game – anyone can get caught.  I blame my error last time on my cockiness.  This time, I’ve got to stamp my mark on it.”

Thomson had been seeking a big name lightweight for his first title defense and Fighters.com first reported 10 October that “Uno Shoten” Caol Uno (25-11-4) and Chris Horodecki (12-1) were being sought by Strikeforce.

Horodecki officially removed himself from contention nine days later when he signed to fight Dan Lauzon (10-2) at Affliction’s yet to be scheduled second event.

Horodecki said, “I’d like to fight Thomson, but now I’m thinking about November and Affliction.”

But, revenge has also been on Thomson’s mind.

After defeating “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez (14-2) in San Jose 27 June for the title, Thomson expressed his disappointment that Edwards had lost to then EliteXC Lightweight Champion “King Karl” Karl James Noons (7-2) because Thomson wanted to avenge his loss and the opportunity to pick up a second belt.

But, Thomson will have to settle just for an opportunity to avenge his previous loss.  A win over Edwards won’t bolster his case to be ranked in the lightweight top ten.

Edwards was knocked out by Noons in 48 seconds.

Edwards remarked, “Both Josh and I have improved.  He’s always been comfortable in the cage, but his stand-up looks a lot better and he  looks like he puts things together a lot better than he used to.  He also looks even harder to take down  than
before.”

Thomson TKO’d “Archer” Ashe Bowman (9-5) in Beverly Hills, north of Los Angeles, 20 September in a non-title fight.