Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman's MMA promotion inks crucial media rights deal

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Former NFL star Shawne Merriman’s mixed martial arts promotion inked a media rights deal with ESPN Wednesday, a huge step forward for the company.

Lights Out Xtreme Fighting’s multiyear agreement with ESPN will bring the company’s full fight schedule to fans in Latin America, the company said. ESPN will get exclusive regional rights to broadcast events in English, Spanish and Portuguese to countries in South America and the Caribbean.

"Since launching Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, our mission has been to build a platform for fighters and fans," Merriman said in a news 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 Dec. 28, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

"Partnering with ESPN across Latin America is a major milestone for us. Latin America has some of the most passionate fight communities in the world. Showcasing our athletes through ESPN and Disney+ takes the Lights Out experience to an entirely new stage."

LXF 29 will be the first event aired as part of the deal. Pablo Caballero will battle Corvan Allen for the flyweight world title while Eduardo Alvarado will take on Shane Torres as part of the co-main event.

Merriman spoke to Fox News Digital last month about the growth of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting and what the focus will be in the future.

Shawne Merriman spoke to Fox News Digital about new innovative happenings at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. (Robert Hanashiro, USAT, USA Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

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