By Evan Stoumbelis

Nate Diaz is set to face off with former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 7 on April 20th in San Jose.

Thomson, a former Strikeforce champion, is making his return to the UFC after an 8 year absence. His last UFC appearance was at UFC 49 in 2004 where he suffered his infamous loss at the hands of veteran fighter Yves Edwards via flying head kick. After leaving the UFC Thomson fought once under the Pride FC banner, winning via submission before making the move to Strikeforce. He lost his first fight for the vacant lightweight title to Clay Guida before winning 7 consecutive fights, including a win over Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce lightweight championship. Less than a year later he lost the title to Gilbert Melendez in a rematch. Most recently Thomson lost to Melendez by split decision in May of 2012.

Diaz is coming off a one-sided loss to lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson this past December. With a win over Thomson, Diaz hopes to put together a new lightweight title run.