Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman transitioned from being an MMA fan to incorporating it into his training, eventually starting his own MMA promotion and predicting that more NFL players will move to MMA due to the increasing financial incentives.
When NFL All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman first got into MMA, he was just a fan. It all started after attending a UFC event headlined by Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell in 2005.
Soon after, he connected with Couture through FOX Sports football insider Jay Glazer. Glazer, who also trained MMA in his spare time, introduced Merriman to the sport.
Merriman decided not to remain just a fan. He wanted to learn more about MMA by actually doing it, incorporating it into his offseason training routine.
It’s safe to say that experience made him fall in love with MMA.
“It was probably the most humbling shit that happened to me in my life,” Merriman told MMA Fighting. “I’m bigger than [Randy Couture], I’m stronger than he is, I’m more explosive, more athletic — somehow he found a way to just throw me around.”
“I was getting tired pummeling! We didn’t even get into the actual workout. I was gassed.”
“I try to tell people, especially when a lot of athletes get into this, that it’s a game changer,” Merriman continued. “I believe I came out in that 2006 year and led the league in sacks.”
“I was just so much better with my hands, my endurance, opening my hips up,” he added. “Being able to turn the corner on some of these big offensive tackles.”
“Everybody is doing it now,” Merriman noted. “But back then, everybody looked at me like I was crazy.”
After his NFL career ended, Merriman turned his passion for MMA into a business. In 2019, he started his own promotion called Lights Out Xtreme Fighting.
On Saturday, Merriman promotes his 18th event with a card in Long Beach, Calif.
Merriman also recently launched his own streaming app called Lights Out Sports. It showcases his MMA promotion among many other sports and games as he expands his business interests.
With nearly two decades spent studying MMA and an NFL career spanning eight seasons and three Pro Bowl appearances, Merriman knows both sports well.
That’s why he’s keeping an eye on football rather than wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu for the next great prospect in MMA.
“I think the next heavyweight champion… there’s going to be a strong safety or linebacker that says ‘You know what? This is what I want to do,’” Merriman told MMA Fighting.
“I do believe you’re going to get a guy that’s three years in… gets cut or traded… says ‘Screw it.’ That mentality along with athleticism will drive the next heavyweight champion.”
While many fighters have played football before transitioning to MMA, it’s rare for high-level NFL pros to make the switch.
The most recent example is former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler Greg Hardy. He earned a spot on the UFC roster with only three fights but ultimately left with a 4-5 record and one no contest.
Merriman credits Hardy for making the transition but sees him as an anomaly compared to future players testing themselves in MMA over the next few years.
Why does Merriman predict more NFL pros will switch to fighting?
“Because the money’s there,” Merriman said simply. “Even when I thought about fighting…the money wasn’t there when I retired.”
“If it had been there…I would have taken a fight almost immediately.”
Merriman talks regularly with NFL players interested in crossing over into fighting. Many are household names and not just practice squad players who couldn’t cut it.
He believes carrying name value sets up an NFL player for financial success early on compared to average prospects.
“You’ve got to think this whole business is about selling tickets and pay-per-views,” Merriman said. “An NFL guy with name recognition can draw different crowds.”
“He won’t climb that same ladder because he can sell tickets and pay-per-views.”
“It makes sense for mid-to-upper tier guys known by fans,” he continued. “Not necessarily superstars but standout players who can draw attention.”
“If they climb correctly…there’s significant money waiting after just three or four fights.”
Merriman isn’t setting deadlines but expects known NFL pros will test themselves seriously in MMA soon rather than later.
“If I were betting on this sport…I think it would happen within the next couple of years,” Merriman predicted confidently.
“I see guys training… popping into gyms,” he shared.”These are known guys taking it seriously.”
“There’s one or two willing to put in work who could become light heavyweight or heavyweight champions someday.”