Three years ago, K.J. Noons was the equivalent of a peasant in the sport of mixed martial arts.

On Saturday, he will be featured in a main event at the Blaisdell Center Arena that is being hyped as "Return of the King."

Noons — who was raised in Kailua, Kona — will defend his EliteXC lightweight championship against Yves Edwards of Texas on a card that will be televised nationally on the Showtime cable network.

"I was the first fight on the card for my first MMA fight at the Blaisdell (in 2005)," Noons said. "And so soon, I'm returning back as the main event, defending my title on Showtime. This is definitely the most special (fight) for me."

Noons, 26, has a professional MMA record of 5-1. Saturday will be the first defense of his lightweight (160 pounds) championship since he upset Nick Diaz for it in November in Texas.

Since winning the title, Noons has been nicknamed "King Karl" by EliteXC officials. The initials K.J. stand for Karl James.

"I'm up for the challenge; I like the pressure," he said. "I consider myself an underdog for this fight, but I was an underdog the last time, too."

Edwards is a versatile veteran who has already fought some of the world's best. He has a professional record of 34-13-1, including 6-4 in the prestigious UFC organization.

Among Edwards' past victories are Hermes Franca, Dokonjonsuke Mishima and Rich Clementi. Among his past losses are Matt Serra, Joe Stevenson and Caol Uno.

Despite all his experience, Edwards is describing Saturday as the "most important" bout of his 12-year career.

"It's the biggest title that I ever had the opportunity to fight for," said Edwards, 31. "It's a main event on Showtime, one of the biggest networks in the country."

As another indication of Noons' quick ascension in the sport, he was once a sparring partner for Edwards around seven years ago.

"I was in the UFC at the time, and K.J. came in to help me get ready," Edwards said.

The two have stayed in contact since then, and are considered friends.

But as Edwards put it: "We're friends, but at the same time, we will punch each other in the face come Saturday night."

Noons started his MMA career in 2005, but his record is limited because he is considered a multi-sport athlete.

He is 7-1 as a professional boxer, and also has experience in professional kickboxing. He said one of his goals is to become a world champion in both boxing and MMA.

"I'm concentrating on MMA right now," he said. "Not looking past Yves, but as soon as I'm done with this fight, I'd like to continue to pursue my boxing career."

All five of Noons' previous victories have ended via knockout or referee-stoppage due to strikes.

Edwards has 13 victories by knockout, and 14 by submission.

"You have to look out for everything with Yves," Noons said. "He's so good all-around. I think our styles are going to make for a very exciting fight."

Noons moved from the Big Island to Texas when he was 16, and now trains in San Diego. However, he still has family and friends in Hawai'i, and is expected to have a large contingent in attendance Saturday.

"All my family on my mom's side is (in Hawai'i)," he said.

Edwards said: "I've fought in Hawai'i twice before and I've gotten some big love from the fans in Hawai'i. The thing is, I wasn't fighting a local boy. But at the end of the day, I still have to fight K.J. I don't have to fight the fans."

NOTES

Only five of the 12 bouts on Saturday's card will be televised during the Showtime broadcast. The others will be streamed live on the Internet at www.proelite.com.

Nick Diaz of California will face Muhsin Corbbrey of South Carolina in the semi-main event. The winner of the bout may face the winner of the Noons/Edwards bout later this year.

Icon Sport middleweight champion Kala Kolohe Hose of Wai'anae will face Bubba McDaniel of Texas in a non-title bout on the undercard.

SATURDAY'S BOUTS

160 pounds: K.J. Noons vs. Yves Edwards. 160: Nick Diaz vs. Muhsin Corrbrey. 185: Murilo "Ninja" Rua vs. Tony Bonnello. 265: Dave Herman vs. Ron Waterman. 205: Rafael Feijao vs. Wayne Cole. 185: Carl Barton vs. Kepa Madeiros. 135: Russell Doane vs. Dwayne Haney. 160: PJ Dean vs. Dean Lista. 265: Lolohea Mahe vs. Chris Bernard. 160: Kaleo Kwan vs. Mike Aina. 140: Mark Oshiro vs. Chris Willems. 185: Kala Kolohe Hose vs. Bubba McDaniel.