Josh Burkman vs. Jon Fitch trilogy set for WSOF 11 co-main event on July 5

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweights Josh Burkman and Jon Fitch will complete their trilogy when they lock horns under the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) banner on NBC Sports on July 5, 2014, at a venue to be named.

Not like the promotion had much choice.

Fitch (25-6) was originally paired off against Rousimar Palhares; however, "Toquinho" opted to return to Brazil to care for his ailing mother and took his 170-pound title with him. That's when Jake Shields stepped in to replace him, only to get injured and have to withdraw.

Third time's the charm?

Burkman (27-10) avenged his 2006 loss to Fitch with a first-round submission at WSOF 3 nearly one year ago. Since then, "The People's Warrior" is 1-1, losing to Steve Carl at WSOF 6 before bouncing back with a knockout over Tyler Stinson at WSOF 9

WSOF 11 will be headlined by a lightweight championship battle pitting Justin Gaethje vs. Nick Newell, while Gesias Cavalcante and Melvin Guillard also hook 'em up in 155-pound action.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this still developing fight card in the coming weeks.