Kimo Leopoldo wants to start with a clean fighting slate tomorrow.

Leopoldo will face Ohio's Wes Sims in a heavyweight bout that is the main event of the X-1 World Events mixed martial arts card at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

Leopoldo, who was raised in Wai'anae but now resides in California, was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission in July after he failed a pre-fight drug test.

Tomorrow will be his first bout in the United States since the suspension (he lost a bout in London last week).

"I can't say I wasn't guilty, but it was something that was prescribed to me," Leopoldo said.

He tore the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee during a fight in May 2005. Leopoldo said his doctor prescribed a form of steroids to help with the rehabilitation process.

He said he stopped taking the prescribed pills during his two months of training for the July bout.

"Obviously, there was still some trace of it in me," he said. "But I explained it all to the California commission. I showed them the paper work and everything, and they still said I couldn't fight.

"I'm kind of embarrassed because it makes me look bad, but I want people to know that it wasn't used to give me any advantage or to make me stronger than my opponent. It was strictly for rehab."

Hawai'i does not require professional mixed martial arts competitors to complete drug tests.

In any case, Leopoldo will be put to the test in the ring tomorrow.

Leopoldo is 38 with a professional record of 9-6-1, and is one of the most tenured athletes in the sport. His first mixed martial arts bout was in 1994 against legendary jiu-jitsu master Royce Gracie.

Leopoldo has been considered a main event fighter ever since, and his resume includes bouts against Ken Shamrock, David "Tank" Abbott, and Dan Severn.

Sims is 14-8-1, and is one of the most active heavyweights in the sport. Tomorrow will be his seventh bout of 2006 (he is 4-1-1 in the previous six).

Leopoldo is 6 feet and 235 pounds; Sims is listed at 6-9 and 260 pounds.

"Sims is big, strong and aggressive, but he's very limited," Leopoldo said. "His submission game is no comparison to mine, so I'm not worried about that part. I think it's going to be a bang-out fight."

Leopoldo lost to Dave Legeno by choke submission in London on Sept. 30, but he said he is already recovered from that bout.

VITALE WILL FIGHT IN HEAVIER WEIGHT CLASS

Hawai'i fighter Falaniko Vitale will highlight tomorrow's undercard as he returns to the ring for the first time since February.

Vitale will face Tim Wills in the 205-pound division. Most of Vitale's previous bouts were at 185 pounds.

"This is my normal weight, actually," he said. "Before, I had to cut weight to get to 185, so I think this is better for me. I'll be stronger."

Vitale is coming off three main event losses in the Icon Sport organization — two to Robbie Lawler and one to Jason "Mayhem" Miller. His last bout in February resulted in a knockout loss to Lawler.

"I didn't want to go out like that," Vitale said. "I feel like I have unfinished business."

TOMORROW'S CARD

Heavyweight: Kimo Leopoldo vs. Wes Sims. 205: Falaniko Vitale vs. Timmy Wills. 170: Mark Moreno vs. Adam Lynn. Super Heavyweight: Eric Pele vs. Vince Lucero. Super Heavyweight: Scott Junk vs. Corey Salter. 205: Augie Padeken vs. Alex Steibling. Women, 125: Sally Krumdiack vs. Brittany Pullem. 150: Ed Newalu vs. Dave Moreno. Heavyweight: Derek Thornton vs. Justin McCully. 185: Steve Byrnes vs. Brennan Kamaka.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.