A grudge rematch lived up to its hype and more Saturday when Nick Diaz (22-7, 1 NC), won his eighth consecutive fight and retained his Strikeforce welterweight championship with an exciting, crowd-pleasing five-round decision over KJ Noons (9-2) in a 25-minute slugfest at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA.

By winning a unanimous decision by the scores of 49-46, 49-47 and 48-47, Diaz evened the score with heated rival Noons, who defeated him by disputed first-round TKO on Nov. 7, 2007. With the loss, Noons saw his six-fight winning streak come to an end.

The first bout ended in bloody controversy; the return bout was highlighted by high drama and intense two-way exchanges that left both proud, courageous fighters bloody and spent at the end of this instant classic.

In other results on the televised portion of the "Diaz vs. Noons II'' event: Marlos Coenen (18-4) captured the Strikeforce Female welterweight title with an impressive third-round submission (arm-bar) over previously unbeaten Sarah Kaufman (12-1); former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson (18-3) earned a hard-fought three-round decision over Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (15-4-1) of Brazil in a battle of world-ranked lightweights and Tyron Woodley (8-0), of St. Louis, Mo., registered a 1:28, first-round knockout over Andre Galvao (5-2) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a matchup of up-and-coming welterweights.

"I knew I won the decision but I'm a little disappointed I didn't finish him in the first round,'' said Diaz, a Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who only attempted a handful of takedowns.. "I'm a little surprised he hung in like he did because he took a lot of punishment. But he has a good chin.''

Diaz was cut on the right eye early in the second round, but his corner did an excellent job of minimizing and controlling the cut and it was not a major factor for the most part the remainder of the bout.

"I was worried about the cut, but my corner told me it wasn't a big deal,'' he said. "I am not opposed to a third fight down the road if Noons wins a few fights. Whatever the fans want. Anything is possible.''

Noons took the tough setback with class. "Honestly, he beat me fair and square. But I landed more punches than him. I out-struck him. Even though I got a little tired at the very end, I kept pushing all the way. I know I was getting to him. If they want a third fight, you know I'll go for it.''

Thomson, who may have earned himself a third fight with Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, was happy with the win but unhappy with his performance.

"I probably could have fought much harder but JZ is a very dangerous guy and one of the best in the world and it was obviously very important for me to win so I played it a little safe,'' Thomson said. "I felt this might go the distance but no way I won that fight, 30-27. He got me a few times, but I hurt more from his two headbutts (that required stitches).''

Coenen, a strikingly attractive submission whiz, was pitching a shutout on all three judges' scorecards after two rounds although some at press row had the fight even. After scoring her eighth career triumph by arm-bar, she was in near tears inside the cage.

"Like I said before, winning the world title can be a life-changing thing for me,'' said Coenen, whose first defense is slated to...