News Summary
The Georgia State Athletic Commission has altered the outcome of a June UFC event, changing the decision of a lightweight bout between Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage from a technical win for Abdul-Malik to a majority draw. This decision arose from a review questioning how the judges scored the incomplete rounds after a head clash. The overturned result reflects a 28-28 score from two judges, ensuring Abdul-Malik retains his unbeaten record while Brundage benefits from avoiding a loss, highlighting the significance of correct scoring in combat sports.
Atlanta Overturns UFC Fight Result in Favor of a Draw
Atlanta, Georgia — The Georgia State Athletic Commission has officially overturned the original outcome of a UFC event held on June 14, dramatically changing the results of a key lightweight bout. This decision comes after a review and appeal regarding the fight between Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage, which initially resulted in a technical decision in favor of Abdul-Malik. The ruling now designates the fight as a majority draw.
Original Fight Details and Results
The fight took place during the UFC Atlanta card, featuring Abdul-Malik as a substantial betting favorite entering the match. The bout was halted in the third round after an accidental clash of heads, which left Brundage unable to continue. As a result, the judges awarded Abdul-Malik a technical decision, marking his ninth professional win and his third since joining the UFC.
The main event on the same card saw Kamaru Usman return to victory, defeating Joaquin Buckley, after a period of difficulty with three consecutive losses, and Rose Namajunas scored a notable victory in the co-main event.
Reason Behind the Overturning
The decision to change the outcome was made public by Lance Spaude of Team Iridium, who announced that the commission had reviewed the fight’s scoring. The review identified a critical error related to how the judges scored the rounds. According to the Georgia statute, incomplete rounds — those not fully completed — should not be scored. In this case, only the first two rounds should have been considered.
During the initial judging, the judges had scored the fight with one round each, despite the third round being incomplete due to the accidental head clash. This inconsistency led the commission to conclude that the original scoring was flawed and, consequently, that the fight should be declared a majority draw.
Impact of the Ruling
The revised ruling results in judges’ scorecards reflecting a 28-28, 28-28, and 29-28 score in favor of Abdul-Malik. This means that Abdul-Malik, who would have been declared the winner previously, now maintains his undefeated record, while the official fight result is a draw. The adjustment also implies that Abdul-Malik likely lost a point due to the accidental clash of heads, a detail overlooked in the initial ruling.
This decision is notable as it is rare for a fight’s result to be overturned in the UFC landscape through a commission’s appeal process. It underscores the importance of correct scoring procedures and adherence to rules, particularly in cases involving accidental fouls or incomplete rounds.
Significance for Fighters and the Industry
For Abdul-Malik, the ruling is significant because it preserves his perfect record, which might influence future matchmaking and career progress. Cody Brundage benefits indirectly from the outcome, as the original loss is replaced by a draw, preventing a setback to his record. Additionally, Brundage avoids what could have been a second consecutive loss since 2024, maintaining his standing in the division.
Lance Spaude expressed appreciation for the Georgia commission’s professionalism when reviewing the appeal, highlighting the transparent and fair process that led to the outcome change. The correction exemplifies how athletic commissions can play a role in ensuring accurate judging and justice in combat sports.
Conclusion
This incident illustrates a rare scenario where a fight’s outcome is re-evaluated and overturned through an official review, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to uphold fairness in professional mixed martial arts. While the fight’s original result was controversial, the commission’s actions have clarified the official record, emphasizing the importance of proper scoring and rule enforcement.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dustin Poirier Bids Farewell at UFC 318 in New Orleans
Dustin Poirier Set for Final UFC Bout in New Orleans
New Orleans Hosts UFC 318 Fight Card with Holloway vs. Poirier
UFC 318 Returns to New Orleans for Trilogy Fight
Nashville Breaks Records at UFC Fight Night with Knockout by Derrick Lewis
UFC Veteran Lauren Murphy Announces Retirement
Lauren Murphy Retires from Professional 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 VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, 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 state 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 Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
