Gilbert Melendez vs Pat Healy booked for Strikeforce on Sept. 29 in Sacramento

Swerve! (not really)

In news that should surprise no one, Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez will put his 155-pound title on the line against top division contender Pat Healy at the upcoming Showtime event scheduled for Sept. 29, 2012 at the Power Balance Pavilion (formerly the Arco Arena) in Sacramento, California.

The promotion brought word of the pending match-up earlier today.

Melendez (21-2) finally rid himself of Josh Thomson with a five round split decision win over "The Punk" at the Strikeforce: "Barnett vs. Cormier" event last May. It was his seventh win in a row in a division already hurting for viable challengers.

Enter "Bam Bam."

Healy (28-16) is riding a seven-fight winning streak of his own, one that includes a submission win over the aforementioned Thomson back in 2009. He most recently overcame Mizuto Hirota at the Strikeforce: "Rockhold vs. Kennedy" event earlier this month in Portland, Oregon.

Anyone think we could be crowning a new champ in Cali?

Also slated for the Showtime main card is grand prix champion Daniel Cormier, who satisfies the remaining fight on his Strikeforce contract before transitioning to the ranks of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) later this year. Sorry to disappoint the haters, but his opponent is not ex-ZUFFA champ Tim Sylvia.

And no, it's not former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Champion Batista, either. Stay tuned for an announcement on "DC's" future opponent in the coming weeks.

For more on the upcoming Strikeforce event on Sept. 29 check out our comprehensive news archive by clicking here.