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Former NFL star Shawn Merriman promotion of mixed martial arts signed a media rights deal with ESPN on Wednesday, marking a huge step forward for the company.
Lights Out Xtreme Fighting's multi-year deal with ESPN will provide fans with the company's full fight schedule. Latin Americathe company reported. ESPN will have exclusive regional rights to broadcast events in English, Spanish and Portuguese in South America and the Caribbean.
“Since the launch of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, our mission has been to create a platform for fighters and fans,” Merriman said in a press release.
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Rapper Snoop Dogg (left) with Shawn Merriman during the Colorado State Rams game against the Miami RedHawks at the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on December 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“Partnering with ESPN across Latin America is an important milestone for us. Latin America has some of the most passionate fighting communities in the world. Representing our athletes through ESPN and Disney+ takes Lights Out to a whole new level.”
LXF 29 will be the first event to be broadcast as part of the deal. Pablo Caballero will face Corvan Allen for the world flyweight title, while Eduardo Alvarado will face Shane Torres in the co-main event.
Last month, Merriman spoke with Fox News Digital about the development of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting and what the focus will be in the future.
Sean Merriman spoke with Fox News Digital about the innovative new events at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. (Robert Hanashiro, USAT, USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
EX-NFL STAR SEAN MERRIMAN EXPLAINS WHY HIS MMA PROMOTION IS NOT INTERESTED IN COMPETING WITH THE UFC
He made it clear that he is not trying to compete with the likes of UFC.
“We never wanted to compete. We create. We don't want to compete with the UFC. We don’t care,” he said. “We know there are other promotions and other organizations trying to compete with the UFC.
Shawn Merriman, former NFL and Maryland Terrapins linebacker, was recognized on the court for his charity work with the Lights On Foundation during the second half of a game against the George Washington Colonials at the Xfinity Center on November 11, 2021. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)
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“In my opinion, I don’t think there will be anyone bigger than the UFC, and there are a lot of promotions that are just trying to work their way to the top with money. They just spend more than they do and don’t succeed.”
“We are (successful) because we are more efficient and we are an incubator. We are not trying to compete with anyone. We're the hub for that technology and that data and those great fights and for the guys that can go to the UFC when they become Lights Out Xtreme Fighting champions. That's where we are.”
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