XFA BJJ 01 Recap: Ragsdale Edges Out Deck in Hard-Fought NoGi Heavyweight Superfight

Crossville, TN –  XFA BJJ 01 delivered a night of action-packed grappling at Cumberland Mountain State Park, and one of the most anticipated showdowns of the evening came in the form of a NoGi heavyweight superfight between Upper Cumberland MMA’s powerhouse Cody Deck and the ever-game Elijah Ragsdale of Logica Jiu-Jitsu.

The opening moments saw both competitors engage in gritty hand fighting, testing each other's strength and timing. Ragsdale went for an early throw attempt, but Deck countered and ended up on top, locking in a tight grip and showcasing his formidable strength. Ragsdale remained composed under pressure and eventually recovered guard, keeping an active bottom game while Deck maintained a solid base and pressed forward with heavy passing attempts. 

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After a tense exchange of positions, Ragsdale managed to scramble back to his feet—only for Deck to immediately close the distance and bring the fight back to the mat, this time once again working inside Ragsdale’s guard. The battle continued at close quarters, with Ragsdale returning to his feet once more. From there, both athletes worked to impose their will, using the cage to fight for dominant grips and takedown opportunities.

With just under a minute remaining in regulation, Ragsdale finally landed the same takedown he had attempted earlier in the match, planting Deck on the mat and securing side control. Deck stayed composed and defended submission attempts well, but Ragsdale was able to transition to back control just as the buzzer sounded, closing out the round with strong positional dominance.

In the overtime round, the chess match continued. Ragsdale stuck with his tried-and-true strategy and went back to the leg throw that had worked in regulation—this time scoring the takedown again. Deck turtled quickly, showing his defensive awareness, but Ragsdale capitalized by transitioning to the back and sinking in a tight rear-naked choke variation that resembled a classic Dan Severn-style finish.

Winner by submission in overtime: Elijah Ragsdale
It was a gritty, physical contest that highlighted the strength, skill, and heart of both competitors. Ragsdale’s persistence and timing ultimately secured the win, but Deck’s toughness and defense made it a battle from start to finish. A great showing by two heavyweight warriors in the XFA cage.

Stay tuned for more elite grappling action as XFA BJJ continues to deliver top-tier superfights throughout Tennessee.


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.