Strikeforce, today, announced a bout between top flight lightweight Gilbert Melendez and late replacement Rodrigo Damm. The fight is now official for Saturday's "Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz". Damm is awaiting final clearance from the California State Athletic Commission after he passed a pre-fight medical exam.

Melendez was originally slated to face current Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson, but the champ had to withdraw due to a broken left leg.

Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz also confirmed that the bout would be for the Strikeforce interim lightweight championship and the winner of the bout would earn an immediate title-unification tilt with Thompson.

Melendez, the former Strikeforce lightweight champion, hasn't fought since losing the belt to Thomson last June. The 8-2 Damm is coming off a loss to tough Japanese fighter Eiji Mitsuoka at last August's Sengoku:Fourth Battle.