SAN JOSE, California — Strikeforce world lightweight champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) will set out to make his first title defense and, at the same time, look to even an old score against the only man who has stopped him in the heat of battle - Yves Edwards (34-14-1).

The fight is scheduled for November 21 at San Jose’s HP Pavilion.

The 32-year-old Edwards, who scored an unforgettable, first-round knockout on Thomson with a head kick at UFC 49 on August 21, 2004, remains one of only two competitors who have defeated Thomson.

“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.”

His dominance of “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez at HP Pavilion on Friday, June 27th earned Thomson the Strikeforce title and a return to the lightweight division’s world top 10 rankings.

“I respect Yves as a fighter and consider him a friend.  This is a business, though, and we know it so I’m going to do what I have to do,” said Thomson.

During his 11-year professional career, Edwards has triumphed over a number of other notable rivals, including Rich Clementi, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, James Edson Berto and Hermes Franca, whom Edwards defeated twice.   

“Both Josh and I have improved,” said Edwards. “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.”