Controversy at XFA Fight Night 4: Tayler Milam-Brown vs. Rachel Beauchamp Ends in Confusion, Weight Drama, and a Draw

Harriman, TN – XFA Fight Night 4 delivered an electric night of amateur MMA action at Roane State in Harriman, but one of the most talked-about bouts of the evening came not from a brutal knockout or slick submission—but from a storm of controversy surrounding weight issues, a scoring error, and a confusing conclusion.

The amateur catchweight bout between Knoxville Martial Arts Academy’s Tayler Milam-Brown and Matrix MMA’s Rachel Beauchamp was scheduled for 130 pounds. Initially agreed upon at 125 lbs, Beauchamp requested a change to 130 just three weeks out from the fight. But the real trouble began at weigh-ins.

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Beauchamp, with a 1-3 amateur MMA record and a reported 3-5 kickboxing record, arrived late to the scales and tipped in at 138.0 lbs—well over the newly agreed limit. Over two and a half hours later, she reweighed at 137.5 lbs, still significantly over. Despite the miss, the bout was allowed to proceed with an official 1-point deduction imposed on Beauchamp for missing weight so drastically.

Milam-Brown, entering the cage for her MMA debut after a 1-0 kickboxing start, made weight and came prepared. The fight itself was competitive and hard-fought. Over the course of three rounds, the action followed a consistent pattern: Milam-Brown appeared to have the slight edge in the striking exchanges, showing clean technique and control on the feet, while the grappling was a scramble-heavy affair with both fighters trading dominant positions without either able to secure prolonged control or damage.

Judges originally awarded a split decision victory to Beauchamp, a result met with confusion and concern. That confusion only deepened when it was discovered that the GAMMA official cageside failed to include the mandatory one-point deduction for Beauchamp’s weight miss on the scorecards. After reviewing the oversight on-site, officials amended the outcome to a majority draw, informing both fighters and their camps of the official change.

Adding fuel to the fire, it was revealed that Beauchamp was also required to weigh in again the day of the event, with the stipulation that she must not exceed 145 pounds or the fight would be canceled. She narrowly made the mark, tipping the scale at 144.2 lbs just hours before the show.

The bout, initially seen as a competitive showcase for two developing athletes, has now become a lightning rod for debate regarding protocol enforcement, weight-cutting ethics, and procedural accuracy. XFA has confirmed that GAMMA, the sanctioning body for the event, is actively reviewing the circumstances surrounding both the weigh-in controversy and the scoring error.

Despite the drama, both athletes displayed grit and sportsmanship inside the cage. For Milam-Brown, her debut was a strong showing that will undoubtedly serve as a valuable stepping stone in her amateur career. For Beauchamp, the result may not be the clean win she wanted, but she demonstrated heart and resilience after a chaotic lead up to the bout.

As the dust settles from a night full of action, this fight may be remembered less for who won and more for what it revealed about the importance of clear regulation, accurate officiating, and the challenges fighters face outside the cage just as much as within it.

GAMMA is expected to issue an official ruling on the bout and any necessary policy changes in the coming days.


About Xtreme Fighting Alliance (XFA):
Founded in 2024, XFA is a Tennessee-based mixed martial arts promotion dedicated to elevating the sport through dynamic, high-quality events that combine professional and amateur MMA action. Sanctioned by GAMMA, XFA continues to provide a platform for fighters to showcase their skills in front of passionate combat sports fans across the Southeast.