As far as Egan Inoue is concerned, a comeback is not always about payback.

So after nearly five years of squashing thoughts of payback, Inoue is finally ready to make a comeback in mixed martial arts.

Inoue, 42, announced yesterday he will fight for the X1 World Events organization on a May 16 card at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

His opponent has yet to be announced.

"This is actually for myself," he said. "I know it's hard for a lot of athletes — they always make these comebacks and end up losing. I'm hoping my comeback is a little different. If I win, I'm thinking in my head ... I'll keep going."

Inoue is considered one of Hawai'i's first superstars in the sport of MMA. He was a champion in the SuperBrawl organization, and was Hawai'i's most popular fighter for several years in the early 2000s.

His last two bouts resulted in losses to Masanori Suda and Jason "Mayhem" Miller. He has not fought since the loss to Miller on Dec. 5, 2003.

Inoue said there was a time when he wanted to avenge both losses, but not anymore.

"That was running through my head for years," he said. "That wasn't a really good reason to come back."

Inoue said he stayed in shape by coaching and training with younger fighters at his Grappling Unlimited school.

"As I train with them, I don't feel like I lost that edge," he said. "And just the prize money that's coming out for the fighters and how mainstream MMA is getting, I want to put my foot back in there."

Inoue has a professional record of 12-8. He said he wouldn't mind facing a young up-and-coming fighter in May.

"At this point, I see so many young kids coming up that seem way too cocky," he said. "That is what I'm hoping they find for me."

X1 promoter Mike Miller said: "Coming back alone is a story for a legend like Egan. If he can get a win and move on to something bigger, that would be a huge statement."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.