Controversy, Composure, and Growth: Tayler Milam-Brown’s XFA Fight Night 4 Journey

On May 24th, at XFA Fight Night 4 in Harriman, Tennessee, Tayler Milam-Brown made her long-awaited amateur MMA debut. Transitioning from a kickboxing background, Tayler stepped into the cage under the XFA banner and delivered a composed, disciplined performance—despite the chaos that unfolded both before and after the fight. What was scheduled to be a standard debut turned into a controversial, emotionally charged whirlwind involving weight issues, scoring confusion, and online drama. Through it all, Tayler displayed unwavering professionalism, resilience, and the kind of mental strength that can’t be taught. We caught up with her after the dust settled to hear her side of the story—and where she’s headed next.   

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XFA: First off, congratulations on making your amateur MMA and XFA debut! What was it like stepping into the cage for the first time after coming from a kickboxing background?

Tayler Milam-Brown:  Thank you! While my background is in kickboxing, I’ve been training MMA for almost five years. This debut was something I’ve been working toward for a long time. I was definitely nervous. There’s always a lot going on when you step into the cage for the first time, but I felt prepared. I’ve put in the work, and when the cage door closed, I just focused on doing my best and trusting my training and what my coaches asked of me.

XFA: Heading into the fight, it was originally scheduled at 125 lbs but was changed to 130 after Rachel requested the bump three weeks out. How did that late weight change affect your preparation or mindset?

Tayler Milam-Brown:  Honestly, the late change was a bit of a curveball. I was already in the middle of my cut for 125, so moving up to 130 that close to the fight threw things off a little. It also made me wonder what my opponent's actual plans were. But I just stayed focused on training and kept my head in the right place. At the end of the day, it didn’t change my goal—I was still there to fight and give it my all. I try and focus on things I can control, not the things I can’t.

XFA: Rachel came in significantly over even the new weight limit, weighing 138 at weigh-ins and being penalized with a point deduction. What was your initial reaction to that situation and how did it affect your game plan, if at all?

Tayler Milam-Brown:  I was frustrated, honestly. It’s one thing to ask for a catchweight ahead of time, but to miss even that by eight pounds felt like a slap in the face. I held up my end. I did the cut, I made weight, and I showed up ready to fight fair. Let's call it what it was: unprofessional.

It was frustrating because that kind of weight difference isn’t small—it changes the way the fight feels, especially in grappling and exchanges. But I didn’t let it throw me off. My game plan never changed. I knew going in I’d be the smaller fighter, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge. So I stuck to the plan, stayed composed, and did everything I could to show I belonged in there, no matter what kind of fight I was handed. My coach Dan always tells me, “You can endure any hell you volunteer for.” And I’m still volunteering.

XFA: The fight was announced as a split decision win for Rachel before the sanctioning body realized the point deduction hadn’t been factored in. It was then ruled a majority draw—only for it to be reversed again after a protest. Can you walk us through how all of that unfolded from your perspective?

Tayler Milam-Brown:  It was an emotional roller coaster for sure. I gave everything I had in that fight, and when they called her the winner, it stung, but I stayed respectful. I was already trying to process that loss when someone stepped in and said the point deduction hadn't been factored in, that it was actually a majority draw, which was frustrating in its own way. But at least it felt like some accountability.

I was ready to accept that and move on. I thought, "Okay, maybe that's justice." But then that got reversed? I couldn't even keep up with all the backtracking. Meanwhile, Rachel was all over the internet, trying to drag my name, my gym—the whole thing felt like a circus. I stayed silent because that’s the mature thing to do. I’ve always approached this sport with discipline and respect. What made a huge difference was my coaches. They stood by me through all of it—before, during, and after the fight. They checked in on me, reminded me of who I am, and made sure I didn’t carry all of that alone. That kind of support kept me grounded, and it’s what helps me keep moving forward. In the end, I had to detach from the result and just own my performance.

XFA: A lot of fighters might feel discouraged or frustrated after a controversial outcome like that. How are you processing the experience mentally and emotionally?

Tayler Milam-Brown:  It was one of the hardest things I've gone through. Not just the result, but the aftermath. People have no idea what it's like to train for months, put your heart on the line, and then get hit with chaos and disrespect when all you did was show up and fight. But at the end of the day, I’ve used it as motivation. I refuse to let bitterness grow where resilience can. The difference between Rachel and I, is that I have found gratitude within this situation. It seems as if she got what she wanted, and is still finding ways to be bitter about it.

I am grateful for my coaches, my gym, the endless support I’ve had from them and my teammates—even people I don’t even know reaching out to me after that fight. That speaks more to me than anything, in my opinion. I'm not going to let one messy outcome define me. I walked through that storm and came out tougher. I looked at the darkness and said “bring it on.”

Part of being a fighter is learning how to take hits outside the cage too. I'm proud of how I performed, and I've come out of it more motivated than ever. I don't want things handed to me—I want to earn it. That mindset keeps me moving forward.

XFA: With all the ups and downs from this debut behind you, what kind of statement are you looking to make in your next fight, and is there anything specific you want to prove to yourself or others moving forward?

Tayler Milam-Brown:  This next fight is about clarity. I want to leave no doubt. No confusion on the scorecards, no back-and-forth. Just a performance that speaks for itself. I'm not chasing revenge or validation, I'm chasing growth. I want to prove to myself that I can bounce back stronger, and I want people to see that I'm not just here to fight—I'm here to evolve. At the end of the day, I’m not chasing a perfect record, I’m chasing growth. This next fight isn’t about drama or controversy—it’s about me showing up, having fun, and fighting free.

For more on upcoming events, fighter stories, and official results, visit www.officialXFA.com and follow us on social media for the latest from the Xtreme Fighting Alliance.


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.