KJ Noons to fight Billy Evangelista

Strikeforce is close to putting the finishing touches on its upcoming Showtime-televised fight card from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif., on Sat., Dec. 17, 2011.

"Melendez vs. Masvidal" will feature lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez putting his 155-pound belt on the line against a very dangerous, and hungry, Jorge Masvidal in the main event of the evening.

In addition, former Strikeforce light heavyweight and 2008 DREAM middleweight grand prix champion, Gegard Mousasi, will look to get back in the promotion's win column in more than one year when he takes on former University of Tennessess defensive standout Ovince St. Preux.

That's not all.

Check out the current Strikeforce: "Melendez vs. Masvidal" fight card and line up:



Main Event:

155 lbs.: Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal

Main Card (Showtime):

145 lbs.: Cristiane Santos vs. Hiroko Yamanaka
205 lbs.: Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux
155 lbs.: Billy Evangelista vs. K.J. Noons

Preliminary Card (May not be televised):

155 lbs.: Caros Fodor vs. Justin Wilcox
265 lbs.: Devin Cole vs. Gabriel Salinas-Jones
205 lbs.: Keith Jardine vs. TBA

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of Strikeforce: "Melendez vs. Masvidal," beginning with the Showtime telecast at 10 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. In addition, we will deliver up-to-the-minute quick results of all the under card action much earlier on fight night.

We're still a few weeks away from fight night; therefore, feel free to share your thoughts and predictions for "Melendez vs. Masvidal" in the comments section below. And remember that MMAmania.com will be the spot for the latest news and event-related highlights before, during and after the event.

To get up to speed on all the Strikeforce news and notes check out our extensive event archive right here.