While it’s a good nine months away, UFC officials formally announced that a lightweight title bout between Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez on Wednesday.

UFC President Dana White announced the title tilt would take place at the company’s annual year end pay-per-view between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

While the event has not been formally announced, MMA Junkie reports it will likely be UFC 182 and take place on December 27.

Melendez, who was briefly linked to a deal with Bellator during his free agency period last month, but eventually opted to resign with the UFC after they offered him a head coaching gig on season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter opposite “Showtime.”

Of course, the title shot comes as a package deal with the coaching gig.

“El Nino,” a former Strikeforce lightweight champion, has won eight of his past nine bouts and his only loss was a highly debatable split decision loss to then-champ Benson Henderson at UFC on FOX 7 in April.

The Cesar Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt last fought at UFC 166 in October, defeating Diego Sanchez in a non-stop action “Fight of the Year” performance.

Meanwhile, Pettis has been on the shelf with a knee injury ever since capturing the UFC strap from Henderson at UFC 164 in August.

The 27-year-old was linked to a superfight with featherweight champion Jose Aldo - as well as a lightweight title bout with Josh Thomson - since winning the belt, but injuries prevented either bout from coming to fruition.