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Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman touts ‘game-changer’ set to debut for Lights Out Xtreme Fighting

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Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman touts ‘game-changer’ set to debut for Lights Out Xtreme Fighting


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Former NFL star Shawne Merriman is no stranger to bringing innovation to Lights Out Xtreme Fighting in hopes of standing out from other organizations in the U.S.

On Saturday, Merriman will introduce a “game-changer” to the world of mixed martial arts and combat sports. 

He told Fox News Digital that fans who watch Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 on Lights Out Sports TV will see a different way advertisements are displayed.

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Shawne Merriman spoke to Fox News Digital about new innovative happenings at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. (Robert Hanashiro/USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

“We’re doing our first commercial use of AI virtual sponsorship,” Merriman said. “People watching at home on Lights Out Sports TV will see ads change every fight. This is something that we’ve been working on for a long time. We’ve been working behind the scenes for six months, and now we’re bringing it to commercial use. 

“Now, companies can sponsor fights on a per-minute basis. They’re buying time for less cost. And everybody will be able to get to see it for the first time. I’m really, really excited about that because this is gonna be a game-changer in combat sports, and everybody gets a chance to see it for the first time live.”

Merriman said Lights Out Xtreme Fighting partnered with PTF Lab to help incorporate the new idea in ads into the fights.

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Shawne Merriman and Snoop Dogg

Rapper Snoop Dogg (left) with Shawne Merriman during the Colorado State Rams’ game against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium Dec. 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

“There’s a lot of regional promotions that are struggling right now, and we’re one of the ones that are extremely successful because we figured out ways to bring incremental revenue without having to raise a bunch of capital,” Merriman explained. “So, we’re very lean as a company.

“I got a great staff, and then I’ve always thought outside of the box when it comes to growth, and this is it.”

Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 will take place at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. The fight begins at 5 p.m. local time.

A Lights Out Xtreme Fighting poster

Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 27 takes place Sept. 20, 2025. (Lights Out Xtreme Fighting)

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Tyrell Fortune will take on Demoreo Dennis in the main event with four other big bouts on the card.

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20 charged in college hoops point-shaving plot

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20 charged in college hoops point-shaving plot


Twenty men have been charged in a point-shaving scheme involving more than 39 college basketball players on more than 17 NCAA Division I teams, leading to more than 29 games being fixed, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Fifteen of the defendants played college basketball during the 2023-24 and/or 2024-25 seasons, according to the indictment. Some have played this season. Two of the players named in the indictment, Cedquavious Hunter and Dyquavian Short, were sanctioned in November by the NCAA for fixing New Orleans games.

At least two of the defendants, Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, were also charged in a federal indictment in the Eastern District of New York centered on gambling schemes in the NBA.

Former NBA player Antonio Blakeney was named but not charged in the indictment. The indictment describes Blakeney as being “charged elsewhere.”

The scheme, according to the indictment, began around September 2022 and initially was focused on fixing games in the Chinese Basketball Association. The group later targeted college basketball games, offering bribes to college players ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to compromise games for betting purposes, according to the indictment.

“In placing these wagers on games they had fixed, the defendants defrauded sportsbooks, as well as individual sports bettors, who were all unaware that the defendants had corruptly manipulated the outcome of these games that should have been decided fairly, based on genuine competition and the best efforts of the players,” the indictment said.



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3 Pro Bowl players named finalists for NFL’s Salute to Service Award

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3 Pro Bowl players named finalists for NFL’s Salute to Service Award


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USAA on Thursday announced the three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award, and a dynasty in San Francisco could be on the rise.

After 49ers star George Kittle took home the award last year, Christian McCaffrey is among three finalists for the league’s award, along with Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson and Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones as the finalists — Jones was a finalist last year, as well.

“The finalists for the 15th Annual Salute to Service Award presented by USAA have used their platforms to be exceptional advocates for the military community, reminding us that service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off,” Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Whittle, Senior Vice President and Head of Military Affairs at USAA, said in a release. 

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Christian McCaffrey, Jake Ferguson and Aaron Jones are this year’s Salute to Service Award finalists. (, G Fiume, and John Fisher/Getty Images)

“The NFL and USAA applaud Jake Ferguson, Aaron Jones, and Christian McCaffrey as deserving finalists who have demonstrated exactly what the award stands for — using the power of football to connect with, empower, appreciate and uplift our service members, veterans and their families.”

McCaffrey launched 23 and Troops in 2021 to focus on post-traumatic stress and athlete-level care for veterans. The foundation has raised $700,000 for military support and paid off holiday layaway for 515 military families.

Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

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Ferguson has partnered with USAA to visit local military bases and supported the National Medal of Honor Museum, including an event in 2024 in which 900 students joined in person and thousands more virtually.

Jones grew up in a military household. His father, Alvin, served 29 years in the Army, while his mother, Vurgess, served for 27. Jones’ older brother, Xavier, serves in the Air Force. Jones and his twin brother, Alvin Jr., founded the A&A All the Way Foundation in 2020 to support the youth of military families.

The winner will be announced at NFL Honors in San Francisco on Feb. 5, the same night the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players and Rookies, and Coach of the Year will be crowned.

Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle

George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown with Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 10, 2023, in Santa Clara, California.  (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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Whittle and Kittle will be among those on the judging panel for the award.

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Want to go to the national championship game? Got (at least) $2,700?

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Monday night’s game featuring hometown Miami and championship-starved Indiana is one of the toughest tickets in sports.



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