Eric Schafer has been here before. Five years ago to be exact.

Following back-to-back losses to Michael Bisping and Stephan Bonnar, the submission specialist was sent packing from the UFC only to earn his way back into the organization and notch impressive victories over Houston Alexander and Antonio Mendes.

Now, with defeats via Jason Brilz and Ryan Bader having cast him back out of the world’s premier fighting organization, “Red” has dropped to middleweight and is set to make his return to the cage at XFO 41 against Chris Albandia in an attempt to earn a third stint within the UFC.

Returning to the cage for the first time in 15 months, Schafer should be refreshed and rejuvenated when he meets Albandia in Island Lake, Illinois, on September 3. Having spent the time working on his game at his new gym, Red Schafer Mixed Martial Arts, the “Ravishing One” has said that following his own scientific approach to training has made him as effective as ever.

“I feel amazing,” Schafer told US Combat Sports. “I want to come in to practice now. It’s not like the fifth day in a row of training your butt off where you might as well not even train by then. I think using my brain and this school by devising the right program and getting the guys on [and] off and eating the right diet is helping me immensely. And now I can control that and that’s what I got here.”

First up in Schafer’s comeback trail is the 35-year-old Midwest Training Center product Albandia. With a record of 8-6, Albandia is a proven veteran who has notched wins over Brian Ebersole and Mike Seal, but is coming off of consecutive losses to Nathan Coy and Jeremy May. Like Schafer, Saturday’s bout will be the first for Albandia since March of 2010.

Hoping to display his revamped abilities, Schafer said that his meeting with Albandia is important in the fact that a win will prove that he has what it takes to defeat someone with a strong wrestling game.

“He’s a wrestler and he wrestled in college and in a way that’s the last two guys that beat me – wrestlers. So, I want to prove that I can beat these guys especially if I have the cardio and this new ability and the athleticism I think I could have beat those guys in the UFC and I think this guy will be a perfect test if I can beat a wrestler. They’ve always been my arch-enemy.”

An impressive win could put Schafer right back on Zuffa’s radar.

“You know how Zuffa, especially now with all these injuries happening, I think I could easily be on a card; as a sub even if I stay in shape. And then win one or two more and I think I can get in legitimately back in the UFC, Strikeforce, or whatever I can do.”

Since making his professional debut over 13 years ago, Schafer has remained one of the most dominant and consistent fighters within the Midwest. Now, with his 34th birthday just weeks away, the seven-time UFC veteran mustn’t make any mistakes if he hopes to earn one more shot under the brightest lights in MMA.