Lalo Balderrama Remains Undefeated with Second-Round Finish at XFA 01 in Crossville

CROSSVILLE, TN —  In one of the final matchups of the evening at XFA 01, Gracie Barra Murfreesboro’s rising prospect Lalo Balderrama (2-0) continued his impressive start to his amateur MMA career with a second-round referee stoppage victory over Daniel Childrey (1-2). The featherweight bout, held at the National Guard Armory in Crossville, was a high-level grappling showcase that highlighted both fighters' jiu-jitsu pedigrees.

Balderrama, a highly accomplished BJJ blue belt, made his MMA and XFA debut just two months earlier at XFA Live 02 in Cookeville, scoring a quick first-round submission over Cody Hanning. On Saturday night, he faced a more experienced and game opponent in Georgia-based independent fighter Daniel Childrey, a BJJ purple belt returning to the cage for the first time in a decade.

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The bout featured heavy grappling exchanges from the outset, with both athletes looking to assert their ground dominance. Childrey, showing no signs of ring rust early, but Balderrama's pressure and scrambling ability wore on him as the fight progressed.

In the second round, Balderrama turned up the pace, advancing to dominant positions and unleashing a barrage of ground strikes that forced the referee to step in for the stoppage—securing the TKO victory and moving to 2-0 in his amateur career.

The matchup was a standout on a stacked card and marked a fitting capstone to XFA’s return to Crossville, its third event in the city but the first of 2025. With two successful events in 2024—including the inaugural XFA show last June—the promotion continues to build momentum and spotlight the Southeast’s emerging amateur MMA talent.

As for Balderrama, the performance cements him as one of the top featherweight prospects to watch on the XFA roster, while Childrey’s return, despite the loss, earned respect for his willingness to test himself after a long layoff.

XFA 01 delivered another memorable night for Tennessee fight fans—and the featherweight division may have just found its next breakout star in Lalo Balderrama.

For full event results, fighter updates, and behind-the-scenes content, be sure to follow XFA on social media and visit the official website at www.officialxfa.com. Stay connected with XFA as the promotion continues to grow and showcase the region’s top up-and-coming talent.