LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Just off the 710 Freeway sits Thunder Studios, containing a packed audience of excited and eager MMA fans coming to watch Shawne Merriman’s Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LXF) promotion. As a longtime fan of combat sports, the former NFL linebacker uses this platform to bring attention to up-and-coming MMA fighters. 

The card featured 13 fights in total, with ten fighters making their amateur and professional debut. 

Jesus Chavez vs. Donovan Daniels

The first fight featured two debutants between California locals. The fight began with Chavez utilizing his wrestling against Daniels as he slammed him to the ground in the first that led him to winning the round. As round two began, both fighters kept the pressure up as Chavez took Daniels down against the cage. 

27 seconds into round two, Chavez finished Daniels by submission to get his first professional win. 

Alan Horvath vs. Nathan Mazzotti

With both fighters looking to get their first win in the octagon, Horvath and Mazzotti brought the energy out of the crowd with their introductions and walkouts. 

Mazzotti found the most success as he implemented his striking and took Horvath down halfway through the first round. By ending the round in top position, Mazzotti appeared to be up one round. 

With round two starting next, the same story was told as Mazzotti landed a double leg takedown against the cage to end the round with ground strikes. 

In round three, Horvath looked visibly fatigued as Mazzotti seemed to manhandle his opponent and take him down again. With a head and arm choke, Mazzotti submitted Horvath to get his first amateur MMA win. 

Hector Araiza vs. Taylor Foxx

In a battle between Vista and San Diego, Araiza and Foxx wasted little time getting their hands going as the two slugged it out for the entire first round. With the exception of a stumble from Foxx, the first round was competitive on both sides with both fighters having their moments. 

Round two picked up where the last one left off with Araiza landing a thunderous right hand to stun his opponent. Despite a late takedown attempt by Foxx, Araiza kept control of the second round with his punches and kicks. 

With round three starting, Araiza immediately blitzed towards Foxx in an attempt to finish the fight that proved unsuccessful. With both giving it everything they had, Foxx survived a flurry of punches to take Araiza’s back and eventually gain top control. 

Despite a valient effort by Foxx, Araiza won the fight on the judges scorecards (30-27) to get the first decision win of the night. 

Jesse Sparks vs. Albert Mendoza

In a battle of the giants, the first heavyweight fight begins with Jesse Sparks taking on Albert Mendoza. In a division known for its heavy hitters, Sparks did not hesitate to throw hands as a barrage of strikes sent Mendoza falling to the canvas and an 11-second victory. 

This marks the first amateur win for the heavyweight, as he celebrated at the commentary booth shortly after.

Oswaldo Martinez vs. Kellvon Clayton

As the first round began, Martinez and Clayton immediately went for the striking as both fighters wasted no time. Both Martinez and Clayton both found their targets, but it was the late flurry at the end of round one that gave Martinez an edge. 

Round two began the exact same way as Clayton used his pressure and boxing to push Clayton against the fence. While Clayton did his best to subdue his opponent, Martinez was still one step ahead. 

Round three was dominated by Martinez’s wrestling as he kept control of his period throughout. With the third round going to the Los Angeles native, Martinez would win the fight 30-27 on the judges scorecards to move to 3-1. 

Wyatt Steingrab vs. Eden Ibarra

The first round consisted entirely of grappling as Steingrab took his opponent down with ease and kept control. The corner of Ibarra expressed their frustration as their fighter wasn’t able to get back to his feet before the sound of the horn. 

Round two was a carbon copy of the first with Steingrab shooting a double leg takedown that was met with almost no offense. With the third round coming up, a blowout was starting to look imminent for Steingrab. 

As round three began, an ill-fated takedown attempt by Ibarra was stymied as Steingrab once again took Ibarra down with ease. Steingrab would win the fight in dominant fashion as his hand was raised via unanimous decision. 

Anthony Rivas vs. Rey Lee

 With Rey Lee making his amateur MMA debut against Rivas (3-2), the Los Angeles native came in swinging as the two threw kicks of plenty to finish the fight early. With the first round winding down, Lee dropped Rivas as he was circling in that led to the TKO victory. 

This bout is Lee’s first amateur fight and win of his career. 

Trevon Stubbs vs. Devin Gallardo

Making their professional MMA debuts, Gallardo and Stubbs looked to get their careers off to a good start with a win. With both fighters feeling each other out early, the Fight Syndicate MMA student in Gallardo got a hold of Stubbs late in the first to gain control. 

With round two beginning, Gallardo got the best of the Downey resident, Stubbs, as he sat him down and landed ground and pound strikes. 

With the final round coming up, the third was very competitive with Stubbs and Gallardo remaining patient, but determined. Despite taking Stubbs’ back in the third, Gallardo appeared fatigued as Stubbs mounted kept pushing forward. 

When the judges scorecards were read, Stubbs sealed the victory with a split decision win as he was met with a chorus of cheers and boos. 

Yoanse Mejias vs. Jeremy Fattorusso

As round one opened up, Mejias and Fattorusso both looked to stand and bang, but it was ultimately Mejias who got the victory as he ended the fight with TKO 65 seconds into the fight. 

Mejias now moves to 4-1 as a professional fighter. 

Adrian Segovia vs. Shane Stipancic

Both fresh into their career, Segovia and Stipancic looked to bring the heat and power into the fight as the two threw punches left and right at the opening bell. While Segovia got the best of his opponent, it wasn’t without struggle as Stipancic rocked him with a right cross coming in. 

With Segovia surviving the onslaught, he managed to grab a hold of his opponents back and take the fight to the ground, where the fight was finished with a rear-naked choke before round one could even end. 

Roman Puga vs. Alex Arteaga

Being two of the more experienced fighters on the card, Puga and Arteage came into the bout with 12 combined fights and a wealth of experience to their name. 

The first round began with Puga leading the dance as he was able to take Arteaga’s back and finished it off with a slam takedown. 

After getting back to their feet, Puga hit Arteaga that dropped him in the first, leading to a TKO win. Puga now moves to 4-1 in his professional career. 

Curtis Millender vs. Renato Valente

In the main event, UFC alumni, Curtis Millnder, faced King’s MMA student Renato Valente in a light-heavyweight divisional contest. The tension was palpable as Millender and Valente used leg kicks, overhands and head kicks alike to try and get the advantage. The ooh’s and aah’s of the crowd gave life to the fight as the first round was very competitive on both sides. 

With the second round, Valente established his control as he shot a double-leg takedown to take Millender to his back. With the former UFC fighter trying to get back up, the Hermosa Beach resident rained down elbows from top mount that led to a TKO win.