Former NFL star Shawne Merriman’s MMA promotion signs crucial media rights deal
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Former NFL star Shawne Merriman’s mixed martial arts promotion signed a media rights deal with ESPN on Wednesday, a big step forward for the company.
Lights Out Xtreme Fighting’s multi-year deal with 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 to countries in South America and the Caribbean.
“Since the launch of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, our mission has been to build a platform for fighters and fans,” Merriman said in a press release.
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Rapper Snoop Dogg, left, with Shawne Merriman during the Colorado State Rams’ game against the Miami RedHawks in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on Dec. 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 wrestling communities in the world. Showcasing our athletes across ESPN and Disney+ takes the Lights Out experience to a whole new stage.”
LXF 29 will be the first event broadcast as part of the agreement. Pablo Caballero will fight Corvan Allen for the flyweight world title, while Eduardo Alvarado will face Shane Torres as part of the co-main event.
Merriman spoke with News Digital last month about the growth of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting and what the focus will be moving forward.
Shawne Merriman spoke with News Digital about new groundbreaking developments at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. (Robert Hanashiro, USAT, USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
FORMER NFL STAR SHAWNE MERRIMAN EXPLAINS WHY HIS MMA PROMOTION HAS NO INTEREST IN COMPETING WITH UFC
He made it clear that he is not trying to compete with companies like the UFC.
“We are never looking to compete. We are creating. We don’t want to compete with the UFC. We don’t care,” he said. “We know that 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 by his Lights On Foundation charity during the second half of the game against the George Washington Colonials at Xfinity Center on November 11, 2021. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)
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“In my opinion, I don’t think there’s anyone bigger than the UFC, and there are a lot of promotions that are just trying to spend money to get to the top. They just outspend them and don’t (succeed).
“We’re (successful) 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, this data and these big fights, and for guys to get into the UFC when they become Lights Out Xtreme Fighting champions. That’s where we are.”
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.