StrikeForceUSA.net just announced that Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez will defend his StrikeForce lightweight title against submission wizard, Josh "The Punk" Thomson on Friday, June 27.

The event will take place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA and tickets, which will be priced from $30, will go on sale Monday, May 5 at 1pm ET/PT. For more ticket information visit StrikeForceUSA.net.

This highly anticipated match up was originally set to take place on March 29 but was unfortunately put on hold due to an injury to Josh Thomson’s left shoulder that required surgery.

Thomson sustained the injury during his win over Adam Lynn at the StrikeForce event held at the Playboy Mansion back on September 29, 2007.

Melendez recently fought Gabe Lemley at StrikeForce’s "Shamrock vs Le" back on March 29, where he completely obliterated Gabe Lemley who showed if anything that he had a huge heart to take the abuse that he endured. Gilbert used relentless ground and pound to grind out the win at 2:18 in the second round. Before his bout with Lemley Melendez suffered his first loss ever at the hands of Mitsuhiro Ishida at Yarennoka on New Years Eve. Up until that point he had won his first thirteen fights in a row.

“This is a very big fight for the fans, for the promotion and for Josh and me. Josh is a great fighter, but I’m the champ and I plan on remaining the champ for a long time.”

Thomson is currently on a six fight win streak and is very excited to finally fight Melendez for the StrikeForce belt. Both fighters know each other well and have even trained together in the past.

“This fight with Gilbert has been a long time coming and we’re ready to do it. It’s not as if we need a feeling out period. We both know each other very well. We’ve trained together, we’ve sparred together. We’re gonna come out ready for five rounds, but we’re gonna bang it out.”

MMAJunkie.com has also learned of another championship bout scheduled to appear on the card between StrikeForce world light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth who will defend his title against a very experienced Anthony Ruiz who is 20-10.

Stay tuned for more StrikeForce fight card updates and more MMA news coming your way!