“I don’t know Kim Couture, but I’ve heard a lot of great things and have a lot of respect for her so I’m really looking forward to going in there and banging it out with her.”

Kvokov’s history confirms that she has a strong competitive nature as well as a high tolerance for risk. After all, it was only 10 months ago that she initially engaged in formal martial arts training, something that she was introduced to by Strikeforce veteran, Matt Horwich.

Shortly after becoming a student, prize fighting seemed like a natural fit, according to Kvokov, a mother of four children. To accommodate the deep commitment that MMA fight training requires of its competitors, she proceeded to make drastic sacrifices, which included dropping out of law school in her second year of studies.

“I just think that it’s such a great thing, being able to beat someone up and get paid for it,” chuckled Kvokov. “I can’t think of a better way to earn a living.”

Tickets for Strikeforce “Destruction,” priced from $30, are on sale at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and on Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

In the main event, Strikeforce World Lightweight (155 lb. limit) Champion and San Jose resident, Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2), will put his title on the line for the first time and, at the same time, look to even an old score against the only man on the planet who has stopped him in the heat of battle - Yves Edwards (34-14-1). The 32-year-old Edwards, who scored an unforgettable, first round knockout on Thomson with a head kick at UFC 49 on August 21, 2004, remains one of only two competitors who have defeated Thomson.

Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight (205 lb. limit) Champion, Bobby Southworth (9-5), will make a highly anticipated title defense against top-ranked superstar, Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7).

Joe “Diesel” Riggs (28-11) will make his return to the welterweight (170 lb. limit) division in a featured contest with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Luke Stewart (6-1).

HP Pavilion doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for Strikeforce “Destruction” and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. The main card will commence at 7:30 p.m.

The live HDNet telecast of Strikeforce “Destruction” will begin at 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST).