281: From NFL Star to MMA Innovator: Shawne Merriman on Sports Science & tech in Combat Sports

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with former NFL star turned MMA promoter Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman, a man who’s gone from sacking quarterbacks to shaking up the fight game.

Known for his explosive NFL career with the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, Merriman has successfully transitioned into the world of Mixed Martial Arts with his promotion Lights Out Extreme Fighting (LXF). In this episode, he reveals how his football mindset, business vision, and passion for innovation are transforming combat sports, from cutting-edge punch-tracking tech to game-changing virtual advertising platforms.

You’ll discover how Merriman:

• Mastered career transition – leaving the NFL on his own terms while building the Lights Out brand.


• Applied sports science to the cage – from NFL hand-fighting skills to the cardio demands of MMA.


• Integrated performance technology – including live punch velocity and G-force tracking for fans and coaches.


• Created new revenue models – opening sponsorship opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses in combat sports.


• Bridges athlete pathways – helping NFL and college football players switch to MMA.


• Maintains athlete discipline year-round – the evolution of MMA training culture and its professionalisation.

Whether you work in elite performance, teach sports science, or simply love hearing how science and innovation change sport, this conversation is packed with insights into performance tech, athlete development, and the business of sport.

About Shawne Merriman

Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman is a former NFL linebacker, three-time Pro Bowl selection, and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2005, Merriman quickly became one of the league’s most feared pass rushers before retiring in 2013. Off the field, he built the Lights Out brand into a multi-platform sports and entertainment company, launching Lights Out Extreme Fighting in 2019. Today, LXF is one of the most watched regional MMA promotions in the world, with Merriman leading the charge in integrating sports science and technology into combat sports.

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