Thomas Denny (Pictures) has no problems walking into the lion's den.

The former King of the Cage champion has agreed to face resident troublemaker Nick Diaz (Pictures) in his hometown of Stockton, Calif. on EliteXC's second CBS-televised card at the Stockton Arena on July 26. Contracts are expected to be inked Tuesday.

The 160-pound bout joins a previously announced matchup between the much-vaunted Jake Shields (Pictures) and former Bodog Fight champion Nick Thompson (Pictures) for the vacant EliteXC welterweight crown.

A self-promoting crowd-pleaser, the "Wildman" has waged over 40 battles in the cage since 1999, including key victories over Tony Fryklund (Pictures) and Olaf Alfonso (Pictures).

Denny's three-fight deal with the Pro Elite promotion kicked off against the single-named muay Thai striker Malaipet on a ShoXC "Elite Challenger Series" card last March. Malaipet was disqualified for elbowing Denny to the back of the head at the conclusion of the first round.

Denny and Diaz had been slated to meet in other organizations on two different occasions.

Undefeated in his last two bouts, Diaz was at the center of an in-cage riot at Elite's "Return of the King" on July 14 in Honolulu, after he and his brother Nathan exchanged words and posturing with 160-pound champion KJ Noons and Noons' father, a former pro boxer. Noons was in the midst of his post-fight speech when EliteXC officials summoned Diaz to the cage -- both fighters victorious in their bouts earlier that evening. Diaz and his brother were promptly escorted out by security after both camps went into a frenzy.

Diaz was thought to have been on the fast track to a July 26 rematch with Noons, who coaxed a TKO stoppage out of cageside doctors by slicing Diaz's face to shreds at EliteXC "Renegade" in November 2007.

Former UFC welterweight contender Diaz, 24, has drawn both criticism and praise for his "tough guy" tirades. Not only has Diaz been known to trash talk his opponents in the heat of battle, Diaz has been outspoken at press conferences and in his meandering interviews.

Denny -- who has been escorted to the cage by adult film actresses in the past -- professes to be a fan of Diaz's charged performances in and out of the cage.

"I think his antics are entertaining, but it will be more entertaining when I punch him in the face," said Denny. "I can't wait to shock the world in his own backyard."