Shawne Merriman Details MMA Promotion’s Strategy, Distances Itself from UFC Competition
LONG BEACH, Calif. — November 28, 2025 — Former NFL star Shawne Merriman discussed the future direction of his mixed martial arts promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, highlighting its focus on innovation rather than competing with the UFC, according to a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
Merriman explained that Lights Out Xtreme Fighting is not aiming to rival the UFC, which he described as the dominant organization in the sport. Instead, the promotion is concentrating on creating new technologies and providing a platform for fighters to develop and potentially move on to the UFC.
“We never looked to compete. We’re creating. We don’t want to compete with the UFC. We don’t care,” Merriman said. He noted that many other promotions attempt to surpass the UFC by outspending it, but he believes this approach has not proven successful. In contrast, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting has grown through efficiency and innovation.
The promotion recently introduced advanced AI technology for advertisers and plans to implement glove technology that will offer enhanced data for fans and officials at upcoming events. Merriman also mentioned Lights Out Sports, a broader initiative to showcase his promotion alongside other sports.
Lights Out 29 is scheduled for Dec. 6 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California, with fighters such as Jake Babian, Sam Fournier, Jordan Azurdia, Dalton Hambrock, and Corvan Allen expected to compete.
Merriman emphasized the unprecedented growth the promotion has experienced over the past year, including sending five fighters to the UFC in the last two months. He described Lights Out Xtreme Fighting as an incubator and hub for technology, data, and competitive fights, rather than a direct competitor to the UFC.
“We want to change the game. We don’t want to keep going down the track and trying to be like everybody else,” Merriman said. “We don’t even compete with the UFC, because honestly, truthfully, we don’t care.”
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