B.J. Penn will defend his UFC lightweight title against Diego Sanchez on Dec. 12 in Memphis, Tenn., the promotion officially announced Tuesday.

The UFC also confirmed previously reported matchups pitting Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo and Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago.

“I can’t wait to defend the title,” Penn said in a news release. “I know what kind of competitor Diego Sanchez is and I am training very hard. This will be a good test.”

Penn submitted Kenny Florian in his most recent defense at UFC 101 in August. Sanchez, 2-0 at 155 pounds and 21-2 overall, is coming off a split decision over Clay Guida in June.

“I’ve always wanted to face the best,” Sanchez said. “I’ve worked so hard for this and now I finally have a shot at the title. I’m training like I’ve never trained before and I expect an all-out war.”

Mir and Kongo will be the co-headliners for the event, which takes place at the FedEx Forum.

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