There’s still more MMA action to come your way on the first night of the Presidents’ Day weekend (if you’re stateside.) This Friday, while ONE Championship settles the score at bantamweight in Muay-Thai (145 lbs.) for their main event, former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman puts on the promoter’s hat as Lights Out Xtreme Fighting returns for the second time in 2024.
LXF 14 sets up shop from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA. Coverage of the card begins at 9:55 pm ET/ 6:55 pm PT on Fubo Sports Network. In addition, LXF 14 will also be streamed on YouTube and Freevee, the free tier of Amazon Prime Video.
Absent of any cancellations between now and fight night, the final version of LXF 14 features eight pro bouts. At the top of the bill are two championship confrontations.
Lightweight Supremacy on the Line in LXF 14 Main Event Friday Night
Immediately following the co-main event of the evening for the LXF Bantamweight Championship, the action shifts to 155 lbs. LFA, Combate Global, and Bellator MMA alumnus Tommy Aaron (12-7 MMA, 3-0 LXF) aims to defend the lightweight title for the first time when he battles Mirali Huseynov (6-3 MMA, LXF promotional debut.)
Unlike most MMA championship fights, the LXF 14 main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.
It’s finally here we’re all set and locked in to one of our baddest cards ever!!!!!!
February 16th Long Beach Live on @fubosports @fuboTV
Presented by @FamilyFirstLife
Partner @iHeartRadio
🎟️ https://t.co/nmnKrr2f6B pic.twitter.com/dqfmTxTLqV
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) February 14, 2024
LXF 14 Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the LXF 14 main event on Friday night, Tommy Aaron stands as the taller contestant at 5-foot-11, compared to the 5-foot-10 frame of Mirali Huseynov. Aaron owns a 72-inch reach, with no such information available for Huseynov at press time.
Champion Aaron Looks to Win Fourth in a Row and Defend the Strap
Tommy Aaron has posted a record of 3-2 in his last five fights. At the present time, he’s on a three-fight winning streak. Back in November, right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Aaron captured the championship with a second-round knockout of Brandon Olson (4-5 MMA, 0-1 LXF.)
After the fight, he talked with Cageside Press about his victory. Aaron made certain to thank those who’ve been backing him.
“It means everything,” Aaron began. “It just means so much to me that I have so much love and support from the gym. They all come and they all support me. I have a beautiful, loving wife who’s been taking care of twin newborns pretty much all by herself so that I can get good sleep and I can get ready to win this belt for them.”
Aaron is a man who fought twice in a very short time. Prior to his contest in LXF 12 in November, he fought and won in LXF 11.
A quick turnaround like the one Tommy Aaron experienced last fall is never easy for any fighter, but he passed the test with flying colors. Now that he’s had a normal training camp between fights, can he make the first defense of the LXF Lightweight Championship a successful one? Tune in and find out.
Mirali Huseynov Seeks to Impress in LXF Promotional Debut
In the other corner, challenger Mirali Huseynov has gone 4-1 in his last five fights. Most recently, he had a four-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of Benny Orozco (2-1 MMA) in November during Zhong Luo CFS 9 (third-round submission.)
Before that fight, Huseynov was interviewed by the Dragon House MMA YouTube channel, where he discussed a variety of topics, including the support of his comrades.
“My guys, my teammates, they make me feel at home, you know?”, Huseynov began. “I’m good with them, I love them. I never miss my country because I think my teammates are my second family. I have a good relationship with my friends, my coaches. I love them a lot and I think I’m so lucky to have them.”
Can he get back to his winning ways in the LXF 14 main event? Only time will tell.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Just like in the co-main event, you’ve got a fight between two guys who can knock a guy out with a single blow. The edge goes to Tommy Aaron due to his backgrounds in Thai boxing, boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and Filipino Martial Arts.
Look for Tommy Aaron to Move Quickly
If there’s been one bullet point to look out for when Tommy Aaron fights, it’s that he can work fast to get the job done. His fight from October vs. Sergio Quinones was proof of that.
During the first round of a scheduled three, Aaron used his footwork to catch Quinones off-guard. Biding his time, he connected on an overhand right, forcing Quinones to back up. From there, Tommy Aaron unloaded with a kick to the head, crumpling Quinones like a piece of paper.
A brief flurry of ground and pound shots ended the contest, with referee Milan Ayers waving it off in only 45 seconds. If Tommy Aaron gets off to the races in the LXF 14 main event, it could be a done deal before you get back from the fridge with that sub sandwich and chips.
Mirali Huseynov Can End the Fight Quickly, Too
In the other corner, Mirali Huseynov sings “Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you.” Aaron and Huseynov have a common foe in their respective fight histories, as both have fought Sergio Quinones in the past.
Just like Tommy Aaron last November, Mirali Huseynov stopped Quinones inside the opening minute in mid-April. After the command to fight was given, Huseynov only had one mission: Seek and destroy.
He continually fired off a barrage of strikes, giving Huseynov no semblance of a chance to try and counter him. In 55 seconds, the damage was done.
All it will take for Mirali Huseynov to score the win on Friday night is to simply land the first punch of the fight. If he can land that opening strike, this LXF 14 main event is his.
Final Thoughts
One last piece of advice before we bid you adieu for this particular breakdown. You are strongly advised not to look away from your screen when the LXF 14 main event gets underway on Friday night. If you do, you’ll be sorry that you missed the finish.
Prediction: Tommy Aaron by First-Round TKO.
