Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes headlines TUF 22 Finale on Dec. 11 in Las Vegas

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Frankie Edgar was willing to throw down against surging 145-pound prospect Max Holloway later this year, after "Blessed" called for "The Answer" to step up and make it happen.

Sounds like the promotion has other ideas.

According to a report from Lancenet (via MMA Fighting), Edgar will instead face off against two-time title contender Chad Mendes in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 22, locked and loaded for the FOX Sports 1 network on Dec. 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It's a risky fight for Edgar (19-4-1), who won four straight after coming up short in his bid to become featherweight champion at UFC 156, but he doesn't have much choice. Reigning division kingpin Jose Aldo is already booked to settle his score with interim titleholder Conor McGregor.

As for Mendes?

"Money" (17-3) was defeated by the aforementioned Irishman just last month, but appears to be getting a free pass after taking the fight on just two weeks notice. Outside of UFC 189 -- and a pair of losses to "Junior" -- Mendes has pretty much ruled the 145-pound division.

Two wrestlers with fast hands ... should be a great fight.

TUF 22 Finale will also feature an electric lightweight showdown -- with major title implications -- between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, while longtime veterans Evan Dunham and Joe Lauzon throw down in 155-pound action.