News Summary
The Georgia State Athletic Commission has overturned the result of the UFC Fight Night event in Atlanta, changing a fight’s outcome amid controversy. Originally decided by judges, Mansur Abdul-Malik’s technical decision win over Cody Brundage has been declared a majority draw after a review found scoring errors. This incident highlights the importance of procedural correctness in fight scoring and the role of athletic commissions in ensuring fair outcomes in MMA competitions.
Georgia
The Georgia State Athletic Commission has officially overturned the result of the June 14 UFC Fight Night event held in Atlanta, changing one of the fight’s outcomes amid controversy and a review process.
Background of the Fight and Initial Results
The main event of the evening featured Kamaru Usman returning to competition after a three-fight losing streak, successfully defeating Joaquin Buckley. In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas scored a victory, adding to her successful UFC record. However, a notable fight on the card involved Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage.
Originally, Abdul-Malik was declared the winner via technical decision after the bout was stopped early in the third round because of an accidental clash of heads. Brundage was unable to continue after the incident, leading judges to award Abdul-Malik his ninth professional win and his third since entering the UFC. Abdul-Malik was seen as a significant favorite heading into the fight and believed he had secured the victory.
Details of the Ruling Overturn
Following the initial decision, Team Iridium’s Lance Spaude announced that the result would be reviewed and potentially adjusted. The commission conducted a thorough review of the fight, focusing on the scoring process and the procedural adherence during the judges’ assessment.
The crucial factor prompting the overturn was an error related to the rounds counted by the judges. According to Georgia statute, if a fight is stopped before completing three rounds, only the first two rounds can be scored. In this case, the judges had scored the fight as if all three rounds had been completed, which was inconsistent with regulation.
By applying the proper ruling standards, the commission concluded that only two rounds should have been scored. The review revealed that two judges had the fight tied at one round each, leading to a majority draw instead of Abdul-Malik’s win. Consequently, the judges’ scorecards were adjusted to reflect scores of 28-28, 28-28, and 29-28 in favor of Abdul-Malik, resulting in a majority draw.
Implications for the Fighters and the Record
The decision overturns Abdul-Malik’s victory, effectively nullifying his technical decision win. Despite the change, Abdul-Malik’s record remains unblemished due to the draw status. Brundage also avoids a potential loss, which could have impacted his recent win-loss record, maintaining his current standing in the UFC.
Team Iridium’s Lance Spaude expressed appreciation for the commission’s professionalism during the review process, highlighting the importance of procedural correctness and fairness in the sport.
Significance of the Ruling
This case marks a rare instance within the UFC landscape where a fight’s result was overturned upon a formal appeal and review by the athletic commission. It underscores the importance of strict adherence to scoring regulations and demonstrates the potential for fight results to be reassessed long after the initial outcome.
Additional Notes
While Abdul-Malik maintains his undefeated record on paper, the official result now reflects a majority draw. Brundage’s career trajectory benefits from the ruling, avoiding added setbacks, and the fighters’ records are now updated accordingly following the commission’s decision.
This incident emphasizes the ongoing importance of rigour in fight scoring and the role of athletic commissions in ensuring fairness and adherence to established rules within mixed martial arts competitions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dustin Poirier’s Final Fight at UFC 318 Ends Career
New Orleans to Host Dustin Poirier’s Farewell UFC Fight
UFC 318 Set for New Orleans Featuring Holloway vs. Poirier
Dustin Poirier’s Final UFC Fight in New Orleans
Derrick Lewis Sets Knockout Record at UFC Fight Night in Nashville
UFC Veteran Lauren Murphy Announces Retirement
Lauren Murphy Announces Retirement from MMA
Additional Resources
- SI.com: UFC Atlanta Fight Result Overturned
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
- Sherdog: Georgia Commission Overturns Bout Result
- Google Search: UFC Atlanta June 14 2025
- MMA Junkie: UFC Fight Result Overturned
- Google Scholar: UFC Fight Regulation
- Yardbarker: Undefeated UFC Fighter Has Win Overturned
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mixed Martial Arts
- ESPN: UFC Fight Center
- Google News: UFC Atlanta 2025
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
