The partnership between AXS TV and LFA has come to an end.
Two days after AXS TV personalities revealed that Friday’s LFA 76 event would be the last card to air on the network, promotion officials have now confirmed the same.
MMA Junkie today received a statement from AXS TV officials that the network is ending its agreement with the top regional organization.
“We are confirming AXS TV has advised LFA that it is cancelling its participation in the balance of LFA events scheduled for 2019,” the statement reads. “Anthem was founded on the acquisition of Fight Network in 2010, the world’s leading combat sports channel, and is committed to the legacy of combat sports on AXS TV.”
AXS TV officials indicated combat sports will continue to have a presence on the channel, including MMA, but declined to reveal any further details.
For his part, LFA president Ed Soares acknowledged the separation but insisted the termination of the AXS TV deal does not mean the organization is done.
“There’s irons in the fire already,” Soares told MMA Junkie. “This is not the last of LFA. It’s the just the last event broadcast on AXS. In the very near future, we’re going to be telling the world what our next steps will be.”
The AXS TV-LFA separation comes on the heels of Monday’s announcement that the Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment had “acquired a majority interest in HDNet LLC, parent of the widely distributed U.S. television networks AXS TV and HDNet Movies, and will assume operating management of the two popular channels that cater to music, sports, entertainment and lifestyle audiences.”
LFA has aired on AXS TV since its conception in January 2017. However, AXS TV also previously televised both the RFA and Legacy FC promotions, which merged to form LFA. The loss of LFA will mark the first time since 2007 that the station, which was previously known as HDNet Fights, hasn’t aired live fights.
Prior to bearing the AXS TV name, the channel aired DREAM, Strikeforce, K-1, M-1, Ring of Honor and more. After it changed its name to AXS TV in 2012, it also played home to BAMMA, CES MMA, Titan Fighting and more.
LFA 76 takes place at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan.
