There’s still one more piece of business on the itinerary on Saturday night. Once GLORY 92 and UFC on ESPN+ 99 finish, Long Beach, CA is the last stop on the tour of competitive violence this weekend. Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman‘s LXF returns for its May event, LXF 16.
As has been the case for all LXF events to-date in 2024, Thunder Studios in Long Beach is the host venue for LXF 16. Take note, however, that the promotion is now available to stream on a brand-new platform starting this Saturday night at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT.
Going forward, LXF cards will be streamed live and free on Merriman’s new Lights Out Sports TV, having just launched at the top of this week. If you provide a valid email address and a strong password, you’re locked into the fights, as well as FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels of GLORY Kickboxing, Chess TV, Swerve Combat, and SportsGrid, with more channels to be added in the future.
Who is the strongest there is? 💪🏻 Ultimate Strongman from Swerve Combat now streaming on Lights Out Sports 👊⚡️You know the drill, download now for your fix of the greatest tests of strength you’ll find. pic.twitter.com/Qa5DssFxAY
— Lightsoutsportstv (@lightsouttv) May 16, 2024
Vacant Flyweight Title at Stake in LXF 16 Main Event
As far as the fights themselves, two pro championship contests are at the top of the bill over the weekend. Immediately following the co-main event of the evening, the headliner sees the Vacant LXF Flyweight Championship at stake.
Two veterans of MMA enter the cage in the LXF 16 main event. Titan FC and CFFC alumnus Roybert Echeverria (8-1 MMA, LXF promotional debut) meets Pablo Caballero (9-9 MMA, LXF promotional debut), an alum of Combate Global.
Since this is a fight taking place in a regional promotion in California, the LXF 16 main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show. California State Athletic Commission policy mandates that all MMA fights from regional promotions have a three-round maximum, title fights included.
LXF 16 Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the LXF 16 main event on Saturday night, Pablo Caballero stands as the taller contestant at 5-foot-6, compared to the 5-foot-5 frame of Roybert Echeverria. The latter owns a three-inch reach advantage (70 inches to 67 inches) over the former.
Currently, the oddsmakers don’t have any money lines on the books for LXF 16. If you plan on betting on any fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Echeverria Looking to Add Championship Win to Resume on Saturday Night
Roybert Echeverria has posted a record of 4-1 in his last five fights. Last September, he returned to the win column with a second-round submission via anaconda choke in a contracted catchweight of 130 lbs. in CFFC 125 from New Town, North Dakota against Pololu Nakunela (6-2 MMA).
Echeverria has bounced around between flyweight and bantamweight in the past and had an opportunity to gain a UFC contract a little under two years ago on Contender Series, a chance that went unrealized. This is a man who once rattled off seven wins in succession before dropping that Contender Series fight in 2022.
He hasn’t had the chance to claim a championship, however. A victory on Saturday night in the LXF 16 main event could be the springboard toward a deal in Dana White‘s promotion. Tune into see what he does this weekend.
Pablo Caballero Makes First MMA Appearance Since 2022 in LXF 16 Main Event
In the other corner, Pablo Caballero has gone 3-2 in his last five MMA fights. Last time out, he scored a unanimous decision victory versus Edwin Sarria (5-5 MMA) on Sept. 24, 2022 in Combate Global.
After, he took time out from his MMA career to compete in bare-knuckle boxing with a planned fight the following February against Mike Hansen in Miramar, FL. This bout was scrapped prior to the event due to Hansen withdrawing from the card.
Subsequently, Caballero was booked to fight Harold McQueen last May in South Carolina, where he lost by way of knockout. Saturday’s LXF 16 main event is his first fight across the board in one year and three days, but he hasn’t fought in MMA in almost 20 months. How will he shake off the ring rust?
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Expect some fireworks on Saturday in the LXF 16 main event. Both of these guys can bring the pain when the situation calls for it.
Echeverria Can Get the Job Done Quickly
Of Roybert Echeverria’s eight career wins, six have been inside the distance. When Echeverria enters the cage, drop what you’re doing because it can be pretty amazing to watch.
He doesn’t like to waste time once the cage door closes. Just watch the tape of his fight versus Kenneth Sabino in 2021.
During the first round of a scheduled three, Echeverria scored with a spinning kick to wobble Sabino. Smelling blood in the water, he stalked Sabino before uncorking a right-handed punch to put his opponent down and out.
Look for Roybert Echeverria to try and set up a knockout with a kick in the LXF 16 main event. If he can stun Pablo Caballero, it’ll only be a matter of time before the fight gets waved off.
Caballero Great on the Ground
In the other corner, while it hasn’t happened too often during his MMA career, Pablo Caballero can submit a guy when he needs to, like what happened against Mikey Reyes in 2021.
During the third round, Caballero dropped Reyes and drove him to the base of the cage fence, softening him up with ground and pound shots before locking up the guillotine with less than a minute to go on the clock. The best way for Pablo Caballero to pacify Royberth Echeverria’s efforts is to take him down.
If he can put Echeverria on the ground during the LXF 16 main event, Caballero can seize the momentum of the fight.
Final Thoughts
LXF always puts on great cards. Saturday’s LXF 16 and its main event look to be no different. Stay up late for this one if you don’t have plans on Sunday morning which require you to be an early riser.
Prediction: Roybert Echeverria by First-Round KO.
