The bout was confirmed during the Fedor v. Rogers broadcast on Saturday night.

MMAMania with the scoop:

On the heels of his decision to vacate the Strikeforce middleweight title due to his budding Hollywood acting career, former 185-pound champion Cung Le could return to the San Jose-based promotion as early as next month for a war of attrition against the always-game Scott Smith.

MMAmania.com learned of the potential match-up from sources close to the event earlier today.

Strikeforce: ‘Evolution’ has been announced by the promotion as its next televised Showtime event, set for the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California on Dec. 19.

Obviously it is a bit on the odd side to have Le vacate his title only to come back and fight a few months later.  However, Le can still draw a good live gate in San Jose.  Smith has made a habit out of getting beat up by more technically sound strikers and lashing out with a knockout blow late in the fight and one would assume that is the same scenario that he is looking to have unfold here.

I've also heard some rumors that the promotion was looking to have Le come back in a rematch against Frank Shamrock, which is an easy sell for TV as well as an almost guaranteed sell out live.

SBNation.com will have more information on Strikeforce 'Evolution' as it becomes available.