Rumors fueled by UFC president Dana White had up until yesterday, placed Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez in a possible title fight with UFC champion Frankie Edgar.

However after much speculation, the Strikeforce star will continue his duties as the Strikeforce lightweight champion and will attempt to defend his belt against ATT product, Jorge Masvidal on December 17.

After dispatching former welterweight title challenger, KJ Noons, Jorge Masvidal has been chosen by Strikeforce officials to square off with current lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez on December 17.

The event takes place at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego and air live on Showtime.

Masvidal was last seen in action in June at the “Overeem vs. Werdum” event where he gave KJ Noons all he could handle in route to a unanimous decision victory. The Miami based fighter used an array of striking mixed with takedowns to keep the accomplished Noons off guard and badly battered by the end of the third frame

Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez last took the center of the cage against Japanese stand-out Tatsuya Kawajiri during the “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley” event this past April. The victory marked his fifth straight win, the past three of which were successful title defenses. After amassing a very respectable 19-2 professional MMA record, Melendez remains one of the highest ranked lightweight fighters in the world.

*Click here for the latest Strikeforce coverage provided by BJPENN.COM