Strikeforce will close out 2009 with a bang with "Evolution" from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., on Dec. 19.

Tickets for the Showtime-televised event are now on sale for purchase through the usual outlets, including the HP Pavilion box office and at TicketMaster.com.

Headlining the event will be lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson and interim division kingpin, Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez, squaring off in a long awaited rematch to decide the promotion's undisputed 155-pound leader.

Former middleweight champion and San Jose favorite, Cung Le, will also be on the card, making his return to competition after more than a year and a half layoff. He'll lock horns with hard-hitting brawler, Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith, in the co-featured fight of the night.

Several of the promotion’s other top fighters will be in action on the card as well, including a middleweight bout pitting staunch MMA veteran, Matt "The Law" Lindland, versus grappling guru, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. Fast-rising light heavyweight prospect, Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, is expected to appear opposite Mike Whitehead, as well as "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler against a yet to be named opponent.

It’s going to be a great night of fights. If you live in the Northern California area be sure to snag your tickets as quickly as possible.

To check out the latest rumored lineup and fight card for "Evolution" click here.