Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez will defend his championship against Japanese star and DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki on the April 17 Strikeforce on CBS card.

Heavy.com confirmed with sources close to the bout that the fight has been verbally agreed to by both parties. Bout agreements are expected to be distributed and signed shortly.

Melendez won the Strikeforce lightweight belt for a second time a year ago, beating Rodrigo Damn. He has since defended it against Mitsuhiro Ishida and Josh Thomson. Aoki won the DREAM lightweight belt with a victory over Joachim Hansen last October. It will be the first North American bout for Aoki, a grappling wizard known for flashy submissions and the trademark colorful tights that he won't be allowed to wear during the Melendez fight.

Heavy.com has also confirmed that the CBS card will feature three title bouts. Jake Shields and Dan Henderson meet for the middleweight title in the main event, and Gegard Mousasi defends his light heavyweight championship against Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal in the co-feature of the evening. Strikeforce officials are expected to announce one more bout for the four-fight card in the coming days.