Josh Thomson vs. Michael Johnson Added to UFC on FOX 12 Fight Card

A match-up between top ten ranked lightweights Josh Thomson and Michael Johnson has been added to the UFC on FOX 12 fight card. FOX Sports first reported the bout and UFC officials later confirmed the match-up.

Thomson (20-6, 1 NC) made a bold statement in his UFC return bout at UFC on FOX 7, when he became the first fighter to knock out Nate Diaz.

The former Strikeforce lightweight champion last competed on Jan. 25, losing a hard-fought split decision to former titleholder Benson Henderson. The 35-year-old currently sits third in the UFC 155-pound rankings.

Johnson (15-8) made his way to the UFC through the twelfth season of The Ultimate Fighter. He advanced to the finals, but was defeated by Jonathan Brookins. A three-fight winning streak with victories over Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau, and Melvin Guillard has moved the 27-year-old into the top ten rankings. A win over Thomson would move Johnson into contender status.

UFC on FOX 12 takes place at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on July 26. The only other match-up that’s been announced for the fight card is a light heavyweight tift between Anthony Johnson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.