After seven years in the remaking, California's John Lober will return to mixed martial arts tonight.

Lober will face Brazil's Marcelo Tigre in the main event of the X-1 Judgment Day card at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

"This is definitely a rebirth for me," said Lober, 38. "I took a lot of time off, and the sport has really grown in that time. I just want to come back to fight some of these guys."

Lober's last bout was in 1999. He has a professional record of 4-5-4. One of his victories was a decision over former world champion Frank Shamrock at the Blaisdell Center in 1997.

"He hasn't been around, but I know he's a tough fighter," Tigre said. "He beat some of the best fighters out there."

Eight months of Lober's layoff were spent in a California prison. He was convicted on an assault charge for what he described as "a barbecue fight with 10 guys."

"I went through a period of about two years where I got caught up in drugs and just got my life off track," he said. "But once I got through that, I turned it around and started working and training again."

He now owns an audio equipment store in Ontario, Calif.

"I didn't come back for the money," he said. "My business is doing fine. I came back because I'm a different person now. I'm a lot humbler, but I still feel like I have a few more years of fighting in me."

He will definitely be tested by Tigre, who is considered an expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Tigre, 28, has a professional record of 7-3.

"I'm in the best shape of my life right now," he said. "I expect it to be a good fight."

Lober said: "I have a strong jiu-jitsu background, too, so I'll be ready to counter anything he has."

The bout will be for the X-1 organization's championship at 210 pounds. Three other championship bouts are on the card: Kolo Koka vs. Mike Maestas at 155 pounds; Ross Ebanez vs. Mark Moreno at 170 pounds; Ed Newalu vs. Lafayette Barelo at 135 pounds.

Scheduled bouts:

145 pounds: Kevin Delima vs. Dave Moreno. 165: Bryson Kamaka vs. Peter Kahananui. 210: Randy Leuder vs. Derik Thornton. 145: Albert Manners vs. Lorenzo Coca. 135: Ed Newalu vs. Lafayette Barelo. 145: Eddie Yagin vs. Donald Gonzalez Jr. 160: Jamal Perkins vs. Shane Nelson. Heavyweight: Shane Carwin vs. Kasey Jackson. 185: Jay Carter vs. Joshua Ferreira. 205: Walter Saliss vs. Junior Sua. 185: Daniel Higgins vs. Fernando Gonzales. Heavyweight: Miles Tynannes vs. Reuben Villareal. 155: Mike Maestas vs. Kolo Koka. 235: John Marsh vs. Shane Faulkner. 170: Ross Ebanez vs. Mark Moreno. 210: John Lober vs. Marcelo Tigre.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.