UFC 49 Prelims: Parisyan and Diaz Go Distance, Edwards Stuns Thomson

With the UFC all but relegating its lightweight division to second-status, the promotion's top-two lightweights, Josh Thomson and Yves Edwards, squared off on the evening's opening bout. Almost any other promoter featuring 155-pound fighters would have, at worst, made the contest -- considered by most, including the UFC brass, an uncrowned title fight -- as co-main event.

Larger and stronger, Thomson came out looking to push the pace by forcing a usually-counter-happy Edwards back with wild punches. Following a solid takedown, Thomson and Edwards grappled briefly before the strike-first, grapple-second Texan regained his footing.

The fighters clinched through the middle minutes of round one, exchanging knees, the odd takedown attempt and some casual punches.

As the seconds ticked down for the end of the first five-minute period, Edwards controlled Thomson with a rear clinch. After briefly working his way free, Thomson spun around to flail a wild spinning back fist.

To Thomson's dismay, Edwards (24-8-1) launched a right high kick that took him off his feet. The shot folded itself perfectly in Thomson's neck, dropping him to the canvas. Edwards followed with several unanswered punches before referee Steve Mazaggatti jumped in to protect the downed Thomson (24-2-0) at the 4:32 mark.