SAN JOSE >> Santa Cruz’s Daniel Compton, 36, is stepping back into the octagon for his first MMA fight since losing to Renato Valente in a technical knockout at LFA 165 at KP Arena in Santa Cruz a year ago.

Compton (9-3) faces fellow middleweight Joaquin Lopez (9-4) of Santa Rosa in the main event of Fight Night San Jose at Tech CU Arena. Fighting begins at 5 p.m.

“I really want to put him out,” Compton said. “I want to finish him. I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

A total of 14 fights are on the main card, including fourmuay thai bouts.

In the co-main event, Bobby Seronio III (4-0) fights Carlos Murta (3-2) in bantamweight action.

An amateur card featuring nine fights will begin following the completion of the main card.

Often in MMA, fighters take to social media to fire barbs at each other, not only to drum up interest in their fight, but to help build up some pre-fight hatred, fuel to get through a grueling fight camp.

Lopez isn’t a vocal fighter. Still, Compton isn’t a fan. He believes that his road to this main event fight was far more taxing than the path Lopez took, and that doesn’t sit well with Compton.

“I want to mess him up,” Compton said. “He’s fought a couple of tomato cans. I never fought any of those. He’s a can crusher. He’s still very dangerous. His body can be a little healthier because he hasn’t had my path.”

Lopez, a 36-year-old who competes for NorCal Fighting Alliance, lost his last MMA fight on Nov. 18, 2023. He dropped a decision to Jeff Creighton at Urijah Faber A1 Combat 15.

Lopez, a longtime amateur boxer who transitioned to MMA, is known for his fast hands. He’s been improving his grappling skills.

Compton, a wrestling teammate with former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at Soquel High, believes his striking and wrestling have improved since his last MMA fight. He’s hoping to earn a couple of big wins and open some eyes during his three-fight contract with Fight Night San Jose.

“I still have UFC aspirations,” he said. “I have to keep having to put wins together.”

Compton, coming off muay thai wins over Andrew Nguyen in the Valley Fight Series on Feb. 24 and Charles Rodrigues at Fight Night at the Tech 1 on May 18, has had an odd camp.

Not only is Compton a promoter preparing to host Central Coast Fighting Championships 5 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on Jan. 18, he works full time. He teaches in the corporate wellness program at Genentech in San Francisco and works part time in Google’s G-Fit program.

It’s a lot, but rent has to be paid.

“The fight camp hasn’t been ideal, but it’s what happens when you live out here,” Compton said. “I’ve got a lot on my plate. But I feel great. I really do.”

Compton said training for muay thai doesn’t take the physical toll on an athlete’s body the way that training for an MMA fight does. His body has recovered over the past year.

He wasn’t at full strength when he competed in his last MMA fight on Aug. 18, 2023, when he lost in his hometown in front of friends and family. He was battling back and rib injuries. And after the first period against Valente, an eye injury, too.

Tech CU Arena is as close to home as it gets. Santa Cruz is just a 30-minute drive and Compton should have plenty of people in his proverbial corner.

“I want to give my friends and family something to cheer about and be proud of,” Compton said.