UFC on FX: Melvin Guillard vs Jim Miller booked for main event on Jan. 20 in Nashville

Better late than never.

Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller flirted with the idea of a match-up all throughout 2011 but, for various reasons, the bout never came to be. Not the case in 2012.

That's because the two have been paired off for a lightweight battle on Jan. 20 as the main event of the UFC's debut effort on FX in Nashville, Tennessee.

That's according to the promotion itself, which announced the contest on Twitter earlier today.

Both Miller and Guillard were on the fast track to a title shot before suffering heartbreaking losses in their last fights. The former dropped a unanimous decision to current 155-pound title challenger Ben Henderson while the latter was submitted in short order by Joe Lauzon.

Despite the losses, the division still has plenty of room for advancement and delivering an exciting slugfest in the main event of the UFC's debut on FX would go a long way for either man.

The FX card has already lined up a heavyweight battle between Pat Barry and Christian Morecraft as well as a welterweight slugfest that pits Josh Neer against Duane Ludwig.

Barry is coming off back-to-back losses to Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve. The stocky and cocky kickboxer may not be on the chopping block just yet, but a third consecutive loss certainly won't do him any favors, either.

Matt Mitrione entered the "World of Morecraft" and left with a knockout win back at UFC on Versus 4, dropping Morecraft to just 1-2 inside the Octagon. A loss in "HD" and it's likely curtains on his Zuffa career.

Also fighting for a spot on the roster -- albeit a much higher one -- is Josh Neer. The welterweight "Dentist" has strung together five straight wins, all of them stoppages, including a technical knockout finish over Keith Wisniewski just last month.

He'll get his favorite type of opponent after the new year, someone who likes to stand and "Bang," as Duane Ludwig is riding high after outperforming Nick Osipczak and Amir Sadollah in recent bouts.

Four tough competitors, two great fights. And now one seriously explosive main event.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more details on the UFC on FX debut, which is part of the promotion's seven year, $100 million broadcast agreement with the FOX network, as they become available.