Seth Francis Earns First Career Victory in Hard-Fought Battle at XFA Fight Night 4

HARRIMAN, TN — Xtreme Fighting Alliance (XFA) Fight Night 4 brought another night of high-intensity amateur MMA action to Roane State Community College this past Saturday, with one of the standout bouts featuring a competitive flyweight clash between Knoxville Martial Arts Academy’s Seth Francis and Crossville MMA’s Cody Hanning.

Both fighters entered the cage looking for their first amateur victory, each holding a record of 0-1. Francis suffered a first-round loss to Moses Lee at XFA Fight Night 3 in Harriman in February, while Hanning was coming off a debut defeat to Lalo Balderrama at XFA LIVE in Cookeville also in February.

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Since his last outing, Hanning has made the move to Crossville MMA, training under the guidance of experienced coaches and joining a growing stable of developing fighters. That change was evident in his performance, showing notable improvements in his striking, pacing, and overall composure.

The bout was a three-round war marked by back-and-forth exchanges on the feet and in the clinch. Hanning brought consistent forward pressure and striking combinations, while Francis countered with timely takedowns and control on the mat. Each round was competitive, but Francis repeatedly found success getting the fight to the ground and maintaining control from top position.

It was that top control and positional dominance that ultimately swayed the judges, who awarded Francis a unanimous decision victory. With the win, Francis moves to 1-1 in his amateur career, while Hanning drops to 0-2 but showed clear signs of growth and potential.

The matchup highlighted the spirit of amateur MMA—two developing athletes pushing their limits, showcasing skill, toughness, and progression. The bout was one of several that reinforced XFA’s reputation as Tennessee’s premier proving ground for emerging talent.

XFA Fight Night 4 was sanctioned by GAMMA.


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.