UFC's Exciting Comeback to Atlanta Delivers Thrilling Fights

The UFC made a triumphant return to Atlanta with an exhilarating preliminary card, filled with action and surprises. As the focus shifted to the main card, the tension rose and relentless performances entertained the crowd.

Veteran fighter Alonzo Menifield set the tone by knocking Oumar Sy off his unbeaten throne. Meanwhile, Mansur Abdul-Malik, fresh from Dana White’s Contender Series, secured a technical decision win against Cody Brundage. Raoni Barcelos outmaneuvered former bantamweight king Cody Garbrandt, while Edmen Shahbazyan delivered an impressive performance against Andre Petroski. Also, two-time strawweight titleholder Rose Namajunas made a strong comeback, defeating Miranda Maverick convincingly.

In the main event, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman reclaimed his path to victory by thwarting the ascent of Joaquin Buckley.

It was a spectacular night in the Octagon, and here’s a detailed recap of the action.

UFC Fight Night: Usman vs Buckley Results * Main Event: Kamaru Usman defeats Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) * Co-Main Event: Rose Namajunas defeats Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) * Edmen Shahbazyan defeats Andre Petroski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) * Raoni Barcelos defeats Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) * Mansur Abdul-Malik defeats Cody Brundage by technical decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) * Alonzo Menifield defeats Oumar Sy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) * Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig fight to a No Contest (illegal upkick) at 4:58 of Round 1 * Michael Chiesa defeats Court McGee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) * Malcolm Wellmaker defeats Kris Moutinho by KO (right hook) at 2:37 of Round 1 * Jose Ochoa defeats Cody Durden by KO (uppercut) at 0:11 of Round 2 * Ricky Simon defeats Cameron Smotherman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) * Phil Rowe defeats Ange Loosa by TKO (strikes) at 4:03 of Round 3 * Jamey-Lyn Horth defeats Vanessa Demopoulos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Main Event: Kamaru Usman defeats Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

Kamaru Usman delivered a masterclass in grappling at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, outmaneuvering Joaquin Buckley to claim a unanimous decision victory. The former welterweight champion utilized his wrestling prowess to dominate Buckley, grounding him early and maintaining control throughout the first round.

In the subsequent rounds, Usman continued to dictate the pace, frequently taking Buckley down, and methodically wearing him down with strategic strikes. As the fight transitioned into the championship rounds, Buckley sought to stand and exchange, yet Usman’s timing thwarted his efforts, easily securing another takedown in the fourth round.

Though Buckley tried to resist and counter in the fifth, Usman’s superior game plan prevailed, earning him a clean sweep on the judges’ scorecards. This marked Usman’s return to victory lane since he last defended his belt against Colby Covington at UFC 268, solidifying his presence among the top contenders in the division.

Co-Main Event: Rose Namajunas defeats Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Rose Namajunas proved she still has what it takes, besting Miranda Maverick in a dynamic co-main event showdown.

The former strawweight champion came in on the heels of a loss to Erin Blanchfield but outperformed Maverick in striking exchanges and also showed prowess in grappling. Maverick ended the second round in strong fashion, threatening with a choke, but Namajunas dominated the third, dropping Maverick with a left hook before controlling her on the ground.

When the decision was announced, Namajunas emerged victorious. The seasoned fighter remains a key player in the top circles of the 125-pound division, her path laden with potential future opportunities as the year progresses.

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats Andre Petroski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

In one of his most polished performances to date, Edmen Shahbazyan secured a unanimous decision victory over Andre Petroski.

“The Golden Boy” exhibited patience and tactical acumen, selecting his angles judiciously to neutralize Petroski. He maintained control throughout most of the fight, deterring Petroski from implementing his wrestling. By the third round, Shahbazyan had landed significant body kicks that put Petroski on the defensive.

All judges favored Shahbazyan, who is now on a two-fight winning streak, having secured victories in three out of his last four bouts. At only 27, the young middleweight’s trajectory under Jason Manly suggests exciting developments ahead.

Raoni Barcelos defeats Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

A calculated approach secured Brazilian bantamweight Raoni Barcelos a win over former champion Cody Garbrandt.

Although Garbrandt started with vigor, showcasing his speed and flair, Barcelos gained the upper hand by the second round. He pressured Garbrandt, controlling the tempo and successfully employing his wrestling to dictate the exchanges.

This victory follows Barcelos’ earlier win over undefeated prospect Payton Talbott, extending his winning streak to three. The 38-year-old remains a formidable presence within the competitive 135-pound category.

Mansur Abdul-Malik defeats Cody Brundage by technical decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Mansur Abdul-Malik continued his impressive journey by clinching a technical decision over Cody Brundage, staying undefeated in the middleweight class.

Representing Xtreme Couture, Abdul-Malik controlled the early rounds with heavy blows and a willingness to absorb any counterattacks. The third segment saw a heated clash that ended abruptly when a head collision incapacitated Brundage, prompting a review which favored Abdul-Malik’s sustained control.

Emerging from last year’s DWCS cohort, Abdul-Malik sits with a 3-0 UFC record and shows immense potential in the continuation of his career.

Alonzo Menifield defeats Oumar Sy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In a reserved early main card fight, Oumar Sy and Alonzo Menifield squared off in a low-action contest.

With minimal engagement and sporadic exchanges, neither competitor managed to firmly establish superiority. However, as the fight neared its end, Menifield managed to edge ahead, capturing the final round with a bit more activity.

The judges sided with Menifield, awarding him a second win for the year and handing Sy his initial professional defeat. As a consistent figure within the light heavyweight ranks, Menifield at Fortis MMA continues to be a steadfast and durable contender.