Din Thomas (Pictures) was originally self-taught and currently trains with Ricardo Liborio (Pictures) and American Top Team. He is 2-2 in the UFC and hasn’t been back since 2003. Thomas debuted against B.J. Penn (Pictures) and took a textbook knee to the face to end his night. He beat Fabiano Iha (Pictures) by decision and dropped a decision to his hero Caol Uno (Pictures).

His last trip to the Octagon saw him lose yet another decision to TUF 4 cast member Matt Serra (Pictures). Thomas held the WEF super lightweight and WEF super featherweight titles, with his biggest win coming over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver (Pictures). He is also the former WVC lightweight champion (in Florida, not Frederico Lapenda’s event) and the ISCF world lightweight champion.

On TUF Thomas battled Mikey Burnett, who had not been in the Octagon in seven years. The significantly shorter Burnett had trouble with Thomas’s crisp striking and was submitted via triangle choke in the first round.

Din faced his TUF Chris Lytle (Pictures) in the semifinals and lost a decision. Now he returns to what he loves after three years away: fighting on the big stage for the world to see.

Rich Clementi (Pictures) had just one shot in the UFC. (Talk about no love.) And ironically it was on the same card as Thomas’s last loss. Clementi tangled with the heavily favored Yves Edwards (Pictures) and hung with the Texan into the final minute of the three-round bout before being submitted via rear-naked choke.

Rich scrapped right away on TUF 4, taking on Shonie Carter (Pictures) on the first episode. Carter, the unorthodox veteran, gave “No Love” all he could handle in the early going. The crafty Carter foiled submission attempt after submission attempt before winning a unanimous decision.

Getting some love, Clementi was given a coin flip’s chance of getting back in the mix due to the ejection of Jeremy Jackson (Pictures). No one wanted a piece of him more than Matt Serra (Pictures) and almost got his wish because Pete Spratt (Pictures) nearly let Clementi fight for him. Spratt lost and put Serra in the contract round.

This could be one of the better match-ups of the night and I’m going with Thomas. Clementi has accomplished a lot since leaving the UFC (just check out that ZST Grand Prix performance) but I think Din’s “prepare for anything” style and ever improving ground game will give Rich fits. Both have abilities standing and on the mat and they are the same size, so no advantage there. Thomas’ speed, specifically hand speed, may be the difference here. Rich may surprise me, but I think Thomas gets the nod in a three-rounder.