After twice being forced out of a highly-anticipated rematch with Gilbert Melendez, Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson is healthy and ready to face Melendez for the undisputed title at "Strikeforce: Evolution" on Dec. 19 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on Showtime.

The WEC is holding "WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" on the same night in Las Vegas on Versus.

Thomson (16-2) captured the Strikeforce 155-pound title with a 5-round unanimous decision over Melendez (16-2) on June 27, 2008. Thomson hasn't fought since he scored a first-round TKO over Ashe Bowman in a non-title fight on Sept. 20, 2008.

Shortly after undergoing surgery for a broken fibula in his left ankle earlier this year, Thomson sustained a break in the bone located above the original injury.  He suffered yet another setback after the bone broke a second time.

"Everything feels great now," Thomson said. "Nothing is going to keep me out of this fight. I'm looking forward to getting back in there and going to work."

Melendez, a former Santa Ana High wrestling star, scored a second-round Ko over Rodrigo Damm on April 11 and he avenged one of his losses and captured the interim Strikeforce lightweight title with a third-round TKO over Mitsuhiro Ishida on Aug. 15.

"I've been training for this fight for a long time now and have been thinking about it ever since Josh beat me last year," said Melendez, a protégé of both Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields and Muay Thai legend Jongsanan Fairtex.  "I'll be getting the best Josh Thomson out there and he's going to get the best Gilbert Melendez so it's going to be a great fight for the fans."

Also on the card, Matt Lindland (21-6) faces Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2) and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) and "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (16-5) will be in action against opponents to be announced.

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