UFC Vet Thomas Returns from Layoff

The 13-year pro will square off with George Sheppard at the Oct. 7 event, going down from the War Memorial Auditorium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

While Thomas (Pictured) has provided color commentary for the Florida-based promotion since its inception, Fight Time 7 marks the first time the American Top Team representative will compete for the organization.

“When [Fight Time CEO] Howard Davis called, I was already thinking that it was time to get back in the cage,” Thomas said in the release. “The timing was perfect, and I said yes.”

Since beginning his career in 1998, Thomas has squared off with some of the sport's most highly-regarded competitors, including Caol Uno, Jens Pulver, B.J. Penn and Kenny Florian. The 34-year-old currently rides a three-fight winning streak heading into his showdown with Sheppard, most recently knocking out Dustin Pague in January 2010.

Known as “Lights Out,” Sheppard has won two of his last three. The lightweight's last outing ended in defeat, however, as he was outpointed by Dakota Cochrane in a split decision on July 30.