Fan favorite Clay Guida and Pride FC superstar Takanori Gomi will do battle in Las Vegas, Nevada, at UFC 125 on Jan 1, 2011, according to "The Carpenter" during a recent interview with ESPN Chicago 1000 (via Sherdog.com).

Following his submission loss to top lightweight contender Kenny Florian back at UFC 107, Guida was able to pick up back-to-back submission victories to get him back in the middle of the lightweight mix.

He submitted Shannon Gugerty by arm triangle in the UFC's debut on Versus back in March and kept the momentum rolling by defeating Rafael dos Anjos back at UFC 117 when the Brazilian was forced to tap because of pressure applied on his injured jaw.

Guida will look to make it three straight, as well as catapult himself toward the front of the division, when he trades hands with the "Fireball Kid."

After a much needed win over Tyson Griffin at the second UFC on Versus event in August, Gomi hopes to keep his momentum going, too. The Japanese import -- once considered the best lightweight in the world -- dropped his Octagon debut to Florian via third round submission (rear naked choke) earlier this year.

Pundits and critics were calling it a career after the disappointing performance, especially when it was combined with Gomi two disappointing upset losses to Sergey Golyaev and Satoru Kitaoka before his promotional debut.

But, just like that, Gomi is all of a sudden relevant thanks to the Griffin knockout and can really raise his stock in the New Year with a high profile win over a popular workhorse such as Guida.

UFC 125, though not officially announced, is expected to be headlined by division champion Frankie Edgar, as he defends his title in a rematch against undefeated Gray Maynard.

Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann and Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera are also expected to be announced for the Jan. 1 pay-per-view in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to this still-developing fight card.