Shawne Merriman hosts another Lights Out Xtreme Fighting card on Independence Day Weekend
NFL legend and former All Pro linebacker Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman and his blockbuster MMA league Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LXF) will bring the fistic fireworks on Independence Day Weekend when it returns Saturday, July 6 for a full night of MMA action, star athletes and two championship bouts at the Burbank Marriott Events Center.
The LXF’s mission is to offer athletes from other sports a platform to step into the cage and pursue their dreams, and former NFL defensive lineman Chris McCain will seize the opportunity and crossover into LXF. McCain, a four-year NFL veteran who’s played 35 career games for the Chargers, Dolphins and Saints, was recruited by LXF co-founder Shawne Merriman to make his MMA debut on July 6.
First, LXF Heavyweight Champion Jack May (11-6) will defend his belt for the first time against Brazilian brawler Jay Silva (12-12-1). May, a veteran of UFC, Bellator, PFL and K-1, won the heavyweight crown at LXF 1 in a brutal beatdown of Mike Quintero. Silva is coming off of a two-fight winning streak and has been champing at the bit to test his in-cage pedigree against May.
Then, the LXF Featherweight Championship Belt will be up for grabs when A.J. Bryant (10-3) trades fists with Jared Papazian (19-13-1) in a 145-pound featherweight LXF title clash.
Two well-known, veteran Southern California combatants will also appear at LXF 2 in separate featured bouts. Francisco “Cisco” Rivera (11-7), an 11-bout UFC veteran, returns to the cage for the first time in three years when he takes on Keith Carson (7-5) in a 135-pound showdown. Fan favorite Chad George (17-8) will also be stepping into the cage for the last time in his career for a “retirement fight” when he takes on Carlos Puente (6-4) in a 135-pound clash.
Just like the inaugural LXF 1 show, LXF 2 will later air on Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket.
Complementing the two title bouts and featured attractions at LXF 2 will be a full card of action-packed fights:
Brian Del Rosario (4-2) will make his second straight LXF appearance and look to continue his winning ways against Alex Trinidad (4-2) in a 150-pound catchweight fight.
Sergio Perez (4-2) will take on Taylor Alfaro (4-3) as both fighters look to bounce back from defeats in a 140-pound catchweight fight.
Blake Bilder (2-0-1) will step into the cage against Jay Jay Wilson (2-0) for a battle between a pair of 145-pound featherweight unbeaten contenders.
In a faceoff between two American female fighters, Tiani Valle (2-1) will take on Kay Hansen (4-3).
Julian Baez (1-3), who suffered a knockout defeat during LXF 1, will look to get back into the win column against Roberto Hernandez (0-1).
Gilbert Nakatani (1-0) will take on Mykola Aivazian (1-1) as both fighters seek their second career win.
Also scheduled to step into the cage with opponents still to be determined are Dave Roberts (3-2), Jonathan Martin (2-0) and Artur Arutyunyan (4-1) as well as CAMO combatants Shaun Northcutt, the younger brother of MMA fighter Sage Northcutt, and Johnny Bezjian.
Tickets for LXF 2 can be purchased at LightsOutXF.com or at the Burbank Marriott Events Center box office during fight night. VIP Dinner and Bottle Service Tables are also available. Doors open at 6 p.m. PST, and the first bout will take place at 7 p.m. PST. All bouts are subject to change.
