Submission savvy Hitomi Akano has agreed to face Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos at Strikeforce “Shamrock vs. Diaz" on April 11 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., Sherdog.com has learned.

Strikeforce Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz confirmed on Wednesday that the bout was moving forward.

Akano, who won the Smackgirl 128-pound title in 2006, will face the feared Chute Boxe striker at 145 pounds for the first of three fights with the promotion. Akano, a judo International Cup champion, may also compete in the 135-pound division.

A 2009 Abu Dhabi World Submission Grappling Championships finalist, Akano (14-5) has earned 11 of her 14 wins by submission, including her last three to Megumi Yabushita, Yuko Yamanaka and Hari Hari, who Akano snagged with an armbar at Jewels 1 last November.

Santos (6-1) has bullied her way to the top of the food chain by winning her last six fights with four stoppages. Santos also won over U.S. fans with her last two appearances for EliteXC, taking out Shayna Baszler and Yoko Takahashi with her brutal striking.

Big things are expected from the Strikeforce women’s division this year and beyond, as the promotion attempts to carry the torch ignited by the now defunct EliteXC promotion.

At the top of the list, the 29-year-old Santos is on a collision course with undefeated superstar Gina Carano (6-0), whose contract was also purchased by Strikeforce in a recent asset acquisition with EliteXC parent company Pro Elite.

Akano-Santos joins a card led by a 179-pound contest between outspoken UFC veterans Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz and a featured lightweight rematch between Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez.

Strikeforce “Shamrock vs. Diaz” will be broadcast live on Showtime.