Strikeforce Champ Josh Thomson Trying to Knockout Dog Fighting

PRESS RELEASE:

Mixed martial arts star and Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson knows dog fighting is no laughing matter, but he attempts to knock it out with hilarity on Tuesday Dec. 8 at the San Jose Improv.

Thomson will share his thoughts about his upcoming title defense against Strikeforce Interim Champion Gilbert Melendez on Dec. 19 with professional comedian Kris Tinkle (USO Comedy Tour veteran in Iraq, Kuwait and Japan, XM and Sirius Radio) in a live on stage conversation dubbed "Steel Cage Comedy." After the Bay Area's brightest comics entertain, Thomson will join the headliner Tinkle in a talk show style interview about his fight, which airs live on Showtime from the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

"Josh has tons of personality and so many stories. It's going to be fun to get him onstage and bust him a little bit," said Tinkle, whose debut comedy album "Almost Awesome" is now available through Amazon and iTunes. "And as of now he is letting me, so I'm glad he is a good sport and we aren't going to have an incident onstage if I make fun of him."

Thomson quipped, "Who's TInkle? You mean the caveman from the Geico commercials." The event highlights the champion's humor as well as his humanitarian efforts with non-profit organization Knockout Dog Fighting. An array of prizes will be raffled off with 100% of proceeds going to Thomson's charitable cause. "It's a great show and I'm proud to be part of something that helps stop animal abuse," said the San Jose native.

Thomson returns to action at "Strikeforce: Evolution" for the first time since stopping Ashe Bowman in September 2008 at "Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion II." He captured the title from Melendez three months prior, earning a unanimous decision after 25 minutes of action. The rematch had been scheduled twice since with Thomson withdrawing due to injury. Before tangling with "El Nino" again, he plans to showcase his personality that earned him the nickname "The Punk" while positively impacting his local community.

The world's premier mixed martial arts publication, FIGHT! Magazine, as well as Ranger Up, Projekt Label, Manumission Fightceuticals Inc. and IBN Sports are sponsoring the charitable venture.

For ticket information, call (408) 280-7475 or visit www.sanjoseimprov.com or the San Jose Improv box office. Tickets are $10 with a two-drink minimum. Attendees must be 18 and over with valid ID. Doors open at 7p.m. and show begins at 8p.m.

For more information about Knockout Dog Fighting, please visit www.knockoutdogfighting.org If you would like to donate an item or items to the raffle, please see the contact information below.