Gabrielle Hopwood Secures First-Round Submission Victory Over Kember Hunt in High-Paced Strawweight Clash at XFA Fight Night 4

Harriman, TN - XFA Fight Night 4 delivered fireworks this past Saturday night in Harriman, Tennessee, and one of the evening's most talked-about bouts came in the amateur female strawweight division, as Gabrielle Hopwood of Knoxville Martial Arts Academy and Kember Hunt of Kuzushi Club Dalton squared off in a high-energy showdown that showcased the heart, toughness, and future potential of both athletes.

Both fighters made their promotional debuts under the Xtreme Fighting Alliance (XFA) banner, with Hopwood entering the cage sporting a 1-0 record, while Hunt brought in a 2-2 amateur kickboxing background and was making her MMA debut.

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From the opening bell, the bout was a technical and aggressive display on the feet. Both Hunt and Hopwood came out fast, trading crisp combinations and showing poise under pressure. Hunt, known for her striking prowess, looked composed as she found early success with her kickboxing combinations. But it quickly became clear that Hopwood had done her homework and was prepared to implement a grappling-heavy gameplan.

Early in the round, Hopwood shot in for a takedown that was initially stuffed, but she immediately transitioned to a standing head-and-arm position. With impressive strength and technique, she turned the position into a powerful takedown, landing in dominant top control. From there, Hopwood wasted no time moving to an arm triangle choke. Hunt showed resilience and defensive awareness, surviving for as long as possible and trying to find an escape, but the pressure was relentless. Ultimately, Hunt was forced to tap out, giving Hopwood her second career win and first under the XFA banner.

The official result: Gabrielle Hopwood defeats Kember Hunt via submission (arm triangle) in Round 1.

It was a composed, clinical performance from Hopwood, who now moves to 2-0 and appears to be a fast-rising force in the amateur strawweight ranks. A title fight could very well be on the horizon for Gabrielle the next time she is in the XFA cage.

As for Kember Hunt, despite the loss, her toughness, technique, and striking ability were on full display. With more cage experience and time to blend her kickboxing with grappling defense, she’s expected to be a major threat in the division moving forward.

Expect to see both names on future XFA cards. The amateur female strawweight division just got a lot more exciting.


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.