When NFL All-Professional linebacker Shawne Merriman first grew to become enthusiastic about MMA, he was only a fan of the game after attending a UFC occasion headlined by Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell in 2005.
It wasn’t lengthy after that he bought related to Couture by way of FOX Sports activities soccer insider Jay Glazer, who additionally recurrently skilled MMA in his spare time. Merriman determined that relatively than simply staying a fan, he’d really be taught extra in regards to the sport by doing it, which he then included into his offseason coaching routine.
It’s secure to say after that have, he fell in love with MMA.
“It was most likely essentially the most humbling shit that occurred to me in my life,” Merriman instructed MMA Combating. “I’m greater than [Randy Couture] is, I’m stronger than he’s, I’m extra explosive, extra athletic — one way or the other he discovered a approach to simply throw me round. I used to be getting drained pummeling! We didn’t even get into the precise exercise. I used to be gassed.
“I attempt to inform individuals, particularly when plenty of athletes get into this, that it’s a recreation changer. I consider I got here out in that 2006 yr and led the league in sacks. I used to be simply so significantly better with my arms, my endurance, opening my hips up, having the ability to flip the nook on a few of these huge offensive tackles. All people is doing it now, however again then, all people checked out me like I used to be loopy.”
After his NFL profession ended, Merriman turned his ardour for MMA right into a enterprise by beginning his personal promotion referred to as Lights Out Xtreme Combating — based mostly on his nickname on the soccer area — again in 2019. On Saturday, Merriman promotes his 18th occasion with a card in Lengthy Seaside, Calif.
Merriman additionally not too long ago launched his personal streaming app, Lights Out Sports activities, that showcases his MMA promotion amongst many different sports activities and video games as he continues to develop his enterprise pursuits.
With almost 20 years spent learning MMA and an NFL profession that spanned eight seasons and included three Professional Bowl appearances, Merriman has an unlimited understanding of each sports activities. That’s why he’s preserving his eye on soccer relatively than wrestling, kickboxing, or Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the case of the following nice prospect to make waves in MMA.
“I believe the following heavyweight champion, like the nice subsequent champion after Jon Jones and plenty of these guys depart, there’s going to be a robust security, a linebacker, a defensive finish that claims, ‘You already know what? That is what I need to do.’ They’re going to take it severe,” Merriman instructed MMA Combating.
“I do consider you’re going to get a man that’s three years, 4 years, 5 years in, get minimize, get traded, unhealthy teaching employees, get benched and he says, ‘Screw it, I’m completed taking part in this recreation, I’m about to go whoop any person’s ass.’ That mentality together with that athleticism with the man being on the sector, that’s what’s going to drive the following heavyweight champion, I consider.”
Whereas there are many fighters with a historical past taking part in soccer, it’s been a uncommon occasion {that a} high-level NFL professional makes the transition.
The newest instance was former Dallas Cowboys Professional Bowler Greg Hardy, who earned a spot on the UFC roster with solely three fights on his MMA résumé. Whereas he did discover some success early on, Hardy finally flamed out with a 4-5 file and one no contest earlier than leaving the promotion.
That being stated, Merriman nonetheless credit Hardy for making the transition, however he additionally is aware of it was actually an anomaly in comparison with the bigger variety of gamers he expects to ultimately check themselves in MMA over the following few years.
Why precisely is he predicting a mass exodus of NFL execs out of the blue deciding to battle MMA?
“As a result of the cash’s there,” Merriman stated. “That was the difficulty. Even the occasions after I was occupied with preventing and I had affords to battle, the cash simply wasn’t there after I retired. I’d have gotten proper into MMA, I’d have taken a battle virtually instantly. I’d have skilled for a yr or two however then I’d have began to battle, however the cash wasn’t there on the time. The cash is there now.”
Merriman says he talks to NFL gamers who’ve already proven curiosity in ultimately crossing over to preventing. He guarantees most of the NFL athletes occupied with that transfer are family names and never only a apply squad participant who couldn’t minimize it.
He believes carrying that identify worth units up an NFL participant for extra monetary success to start out a preventing profession than the common prospect.
“You’ve bought to suppose this entire enterprise, as a result of I’m in it, is about promoting tickets, pay-per-views, getting eyeballs,” Merriman stated. “You’re an NFL man with a reputation behind him that folks know. He went to Texas Tech or Florida State and he really had some success within the NFL, he’s going to make much more as a result of he’s going to attract a unique crowd. He’s not going to climb that very same ladder that almost all fighters will as a result of he really has a reputation and may promote tickets and pay-per-views.
“It makes much more sense for a mid-to-upper tier man that folks know. I’m not saying it’s going to be a famous person, a five- and six-time Professional Bowler, however a man with Professional Bowl potential, a man that’s a standout on his workforce that soccer followers know. If he begins to climb the ladder the best means, there’s some huge cash that’s ready on him three, 4, 5 fights in.”
Merriman isn’t going to set a deadline on when a identified NFL professional decides to check themselves in MMA as greater than only a bucket listing merchandise to cross off, however he totally expects it to occur prior to later.
“If I used to be betting on the game, which I can’t but when I used to be, I believe it will occur within the subsequent couple of years,” Merriman stated. “I don’t suppose it’s going to be too far out. I see guys coaching. I nonetheless go to all of the gyms. I’ve been round lengthy sufficient that I do know these managers, I do know these coaches, I do know the gyms, I’ll pop in a pair days and get on the mat, do a pair rounds of sparring simply to remain in form. I simply love being round it, however I see a few of these guys who’re curious, simply popping within the fitness center and dealing. These are the fellows who’re identified.
“There’s one or two guys that slip by way of the cracks that take it actually, actually severe, keen to place that point and that work in, that’s going to grow to be a light-weight heavyweight or heavyweight champion sooner or later.”