DaytonDailyNews.com

One of the biggest mixed-martial-arts shows to hit the region takes place Saturday in Indianapolis.

Chris "Lights Out" Lytle, an Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran who was the welterweight runner-up on the fourth season of Spike TV's popular reality series The Ultimate Fighter, headlines the UFL's 14-fight event.

Lytle, an Indianapolis firefighter and pro boxer with a 13-1-1 record, is under contract to the UFC but was granted special permission by the organization to compete in his hometown.

He takes on Matt Brown (5-5), a Columbus resident who trains with Team Jorge Gurgel in West Chester. His training partners include UFC notables such as former middleweight champion Rich Franklin, Gurgel, Dustin Hazelett and Marcus Davis.

MMA combines elements of boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. The UFL's fights take place in a hexagon cage and consist of three five-minute rounds.

MMA has come a long way since its early days when few rules were in place. Over the past decade, though, many promoters have worked with state commissions for regulation, to adopt new rules, and to make fighters' safety a paramount concern.

The spectacle of "ultimate fighting" has become the sport of mixed-martial arts, and major organizations such as the UFC have spawned a sort of minor-league system for up-and-coming fighters.

"We're realistic, and we're not thinking we're going to compete with the UFC overnight," said UFL President Keith Palmer. "But we can develop the guys who will be in the UFC some day."

The event features a mix of rookie and veteran fighters from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Dann Stupp is the editor-in-chief of UFCjunkie.com.

United Fight League

What: 14-fight MMA event headlined by UFC vet Chris Lytle

When: Saturday (doors open at 6 p.m.; first fight at 7 p.m.)

Where: Conseco Fieldhouse

Tickets: $22-$172 at box office, ticketmaster.com; (317) 917-2727

Info: unitedfightleague.com