Josh Denham Claims Inaugural XFA Amateur Heavyweight Title with Dominant First-Round Finish at XFA Fight Night 5

Crossville, TN - The atmosphere was electric at the National Guard Armory in Crossville, TN on June 21st as XFA Fight Night 5 delivered another thrilling night of action. The co-main event bout of the evening featured a showdown for the inaugural XFA Amateur Heavyweight Championship between London Martial Arts’ Josh Denham (1-2 MMA going into the bout, 1-0 XFA MMA, 1-0 XFA Kickboxing) and Upper Cumberland MMA’s Cody Deck, who was making his MMA debut after going 1-0 in kickboxing competition.

From the opening bell, both big men looked calm, composed, and ready to make history. Denham came out with intensity, pressing forward with confidence and immediately putting Deck on the defensive. A barrage of punches from Denham backed Deck to the cage, opening up an opportunity for a clean takedown.

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Once on the mat, Denham wasted no time. He swiftly passed to side control, then transitioned directly to mount with clinical precision. From there, he rained down a series of heavy, unanswered short shots, forcing the referee to call a stop to the bout just moments into the first round.

The win crowned Josh Denham as the first-ever XFA Amateur Heavyweight Champion, marking a significant milestone for both the fighter and the promotion.

Denham now improves his XFA record to 2-0 in MMA (3-2 overall across MMA and kickboxing) and continues to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight amateur ranks. While Deck showed poise and potential in his debut, Denham's pressure, experience, and sheer will to win made the difference on fight night.

This victory not only secures gold for Denham but sets the tone for the future of XFA’s growing amateur heavyweight division.


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.