Hawai'i's BJ Penn will defend his UFC lightweight world championship against Diego Sanchez on Dec. 12 in Memphis, Tenn.

UFC president Dana White made the announcement of the fight date on bjpenn.com today. He stated last week that Penn and Diaz would meet for the lightweight title.

Penn met with UFC officials this week to discuss his future schedule with the mixed martial arts organization.

The Penn-Diaz bout is expected to be part of UFC 107 at the FedEx Forum. A light-heavyweight bout between former world champions Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is also expected to be on the card.

Penn is 14-5-1, including a successful defense of his lightweight title last month. He defeated Kenny Florian via choke submission Aug. 8 in Philadelphia.

Penn, who is from Hilo, is 11-1-1 in lightweight bouts, and his only loss to a lightweight was in 2002.

Sanchez, who trains in New Mexico, is 21-2, including 2-0 since moving to the lightweight (155 pounds) division. He won The Ultimate Fighter 1 reality television show, and has a record of 10-2 in UFC bouts. Most of his previous fights were in the welterweight (170 pounds) division.