Former boxing champion Ricardo Mayorga will make his much anticpated MMA debut against former UFC lightweight Din Thomas at Shine Fights' upcoming third event, which is tentatively set for March 2010 at a venue to be named. 

News of Mayorga's venture into MMA and subsequent signing with the Shine Fights promotion first surfaced in September.

The always colorful and brash, Mayorga, has fought the likes of Fernando Vargas, Cory Spinks, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley and Félix Trinidad throughout his 16-year boxing career.

Mayorga is a former WBA/WBC welterweight and WBC junior middleweight champion who owns a 28-7-1 career record but is just 3-4 in his past seven fights. The Nicaraguan hasn't fought since suffering a 12th-round knockout loss at the hands of Shane Mosley in September 2008.

Thomas (24-8) is currently riding a two-fight winning streak, with his most recently win coming against Gabe Lemley at "March Badness" on March 21 of his year. Prior to the wins, he was released from the UFC following back-to-back losses against Kenny Florian and Josh Neer. Thomas exited the UFC with a 5-4 record in nine fights with the promotion, scoring notable Octagon wins over Rich Clementi, Clay Guida, Jeremy Stephens and Matt Serra.

During his long 11-year career, Thomas has competed for other notable promotions such as; World Extreme Fighting, SuperBrawl, Shooto, DEEP and Absolute Fighting Championships. The American Top Team fighter has finished 21 of his 24 career wins, including 14 by submission, and holds other notable career wins over Dokonjonosuke Mishima and Jens Pulver.

Other bouts being discussed for the Shine III fight card, include Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard taking on Alexandre "Cacareco" Ferreira and Luiz Azeredo facing Luiz "Buscape" Firmino. In addition, Murilo Rua is in talks to possibly fight UFC and Strikeforce vet Falaniko Vitale at the event.