Thomson-Edwards Added to Strikeforce

Outside of winning a title, one of the greatest opportunities a fighter can get is the chance to avenge a loss. Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson will revisit a big one when he faces Yves Edwards at Strikeforce “Destruction” on Nov. 21 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Two of the UFC’s brightest 155-pounders at the start of the decade, their first encounter in 2004 remains a highlight reel staple as one of the sport’s more dynamic head kick knockouts.

After taking the Strikeforce strap with a well-received five-round performance against world-ranked Gilbert Melendez last June, the 30-year-old Thomson (16-2) steamrolled Ken Shamrock protégé Ashe Bowman in just over a minute at “Strikeforce at the Mansion II” last month at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. Thomson has won eight straight fights since his loss to UFC stalwart Clay Guida at a Strikeforce event in March 2006.

The easygoing Edwards (34-14-1), a member of the American Top Team, has had a bumpy road since his days in the Octagon. Following short-lived runs with the now deceased Pride and Bodog Fight promotions -- and a quick return to the UFC in 2006 that saw him lose to Joe Stevenson -- the 32-year-old Bahamian-born Texan recently settled with EliteXC.

Edwards caught fellow striker Edson Berto with a flying knee last February, but former EliteXC 160-pound champion Karl James Noons returned the favor in June with a surprising 48-second knockout. Edwards has dropped six of his last 10 bouts.

“Destruction” will also feature a light heavyweight title bout between champion Bobby Southworth and Renato "Babalu" Sobral.