Georgia State Athletic Commission Overturns UFC Fight Result

Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia State Athletic Commission Overturns UFC Fight Result

The Georgia State Athletic Commission has officially overturned the outcome of a contentious fight result from the June 14 UFC Atlanta card, declaring the bout between Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage a majority draw. This decision comes after a careful review of the fight, which was halted early due to an accidental clash of heads.

Initially, Abdul-Malik was awarded a technical decision after Brundage was unable to continue fighting following the incident in the third round. The early stoppage led to confusion regarding the scoring, which ultimately prompted Brundage’s team to appeal the ruling. The commission’s investigation revealed that an error had been made in counting the rounds, leading to the revised decision.

Main Event Highlights

The June 14 event featured a main event where Kamaru Usman made a triumphant return to the octagon, defeating Joaquin Buckley after enduring a three-fight losing streak. The co-main event showcased Rose Namajunas, who also celebrated a return to victory. However, the controversy surrounding the Abdul-Malik vs. Brundage fight overshadowed the evening’s highlights.

Details of the Fight

Before the fight was stopped, Abdul-Malik had entered the bout as a considerable favorite and was on track to secure his ninth professional victory, marking his third win since joining the UFC. The clash of heads occurred early in the third round, leaving Brundage unable to proceed. According to Georgia statute, if a fight is stopped before completion, only the rounds completed prior to the stoppage can be scored. In this instance, the first two rounds were the only ones that counted.

Commission’s Findings

The Georgia State Athletic Commission found that two judges had scored the fight with one round in favor of each fighter, resulting in two scorecards of 28-28. The third judge had awarded the fight to Abdul-Malik with a score of 29-28, but due to the rules regarding the unfinished rounds, the body ruled that the adjustments led to the classification of a majority draw. This ruling meant that Abdul-Malik effectively lost a point for the clash of heads.

Impact of the Ruling

Despite the altered ruling, Mansur Abdul-Malik retains his undefeated record, an important aspect for a fighter’s career trajectory. Additionally, Cody Brundage benefits from the adjustment, avoiding what would have been a tough progression to a 1-2 record in 2024. This ruling demonstrates a rare occurrence in the UFC, where a fighter’s loss is overturned following a commission appeal.

Reactions and Implications

The change in the fight’s outcome has generated discussions regarding judging standards in mixed martial arts and the procedures in place for reviewing contest results. The announcement of the adjusted ruling has prompted appreciation from several parties, particularly from Team Iridium, which supports Brundage. The commission’s professionalism and thoroughness in reviewing the case were noted as key elements in their decision-making process.

This situation highlights the ongoing need for clear regulations and transparency within the sport. As the MMA community continues to scrutinize officiating and judging standards, this decision from the Georgia State Athletic Commission could serve as a case study for refining best practices in fight officiating in the UFC.