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Former NFL star Shawne Merriman’s mixed martial arts promotion signed a media rights deal with ESPN on Wednesday, marking a huge step forward for the company.
The multi-year agreement between Lights Out Xtreme Fighting and ESPN will bring the company’s full fight schedule to fans in Latin America, the company said. ESPN will gain exclusive regional rights to broadcast events in English, Spanish and Portuguese in South American and Caribbean countries.
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Rapper Snoop Dogg (left) with Shawne Merriman during the Colorado State Rams game against the Miami (OH) RedHawks in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on December 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“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. “Partnering with ESPN across Latin America is a major milestone for us. Latin America is home to some of the most passionate fighting communities in the world. Showcasing our athletes through ESPN and Disney+ takes the Lights Out experience to a whole new level.”
LXF 29 will be the first broadcast event under the agreement. Pablo Caballero will face Corvan Allen for the flyweight world title while Eduardo Alvarado takes on Shane Torres in the co-main event.
Merriman spoke to PK Press Club Digital last month about the growth of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting and the future focus.
Shawne Merriman spoke to PK Press Club Digital about Lights Out Xtreme Fighting’s innovative new events. (Robert Hanashiro, USAT, USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
EX-NFL STAR SHAWNE MERRIMAN EXPLAINS WHY HIS MMA PROMOTION HAS NO INTEREST IN COMPETING WITH UFC
He made it clear that he was not trying to compete with organizations like the UFC.
“We’ve never set out 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 that are trying to compete with the UFC.
Former NFL and Maryland Terrapins linebacker Shawne Merriman is recognized on the field for his charity Lights On Foundation during the second half of the 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’s going to be anyone bigger than the UFC, and there are a lot of promotions that are just trying to muscle their way to the top with money. Just spend more than they can and don’t have success. We’ve (succeeded) because we’ve been more efficient and we’re an incubator. We’re not trying to compete with anyone. We’re a hub for this technology and this data and this great fights, and for the guys who come into the UFC when they become Lights Out Xtreme Fighting champions.
