Former EliteXC lightweight champion Karl James Noons has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.

The report specifies that Noons could make his promotional debut at Strikeforce: Evolution on Dec. 19 in San Jose, Calif, though he is more likely to debut at for the promotion sometime in January.

Noons left MMA for boxing in September of 2008 after a contract dispute with the now defunct EliteXC promotion. His last fight, a 48-second knockout over Yves Edwards, came more than a year ago at Elite Xtreme Combat: Return of the King. He's gone 4-1 as a professional boxer in the interim, earning a six-round decision win over Julio Perez on Nov. 10.

Noon's is perhaps best known for his highly venomous rivalry with resident MMA badboy Nick Diaz. Noon's defeated Diaz via second-round TKO back in September of 2007 triggering a firestorm of back-and-forth trash talk and out-of-cage confrontations involving both fighters families and including Nick's brother Nate Diaz, who fights for the UFC.

It's unclear who Noon's will face in his debut, but it's a safe bet to assume that a showdown with Diaz is looming just over the horizon.

Source: www.fiveknuckles.com