UFC Atlanta marked the promotion's sixth visit to Georgia and fifth stop in Atlanta, delivering a thrilling night of fights on Saturday. The main card featured six battles, all of which went to decision, with one fight concluding due to a technical decision caused by an accidental head clash. Kamaru Usman showcased his wrestling prowess to defeat Joaquin Buckley in a five-round main event that earned the Fight of the Night honors.
Joaquin Buckley entered UFC Atlanta on a six-fight win streak, having finished four opponents during that stretch. Ranked #7 in the welterweight division, Buckley faced off against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who held the #5 ranking. Usman’s strategy involved utilizing his wrestling skills effectively, which ultimately disrupted Buckley's momentum. Following this bout, Buckley is expected to face Geoff Neal next. Neal, ranked #11, is coming off three wins in five fights, with losses only to elite fighters like Shavkat Rakhmanov and Ian Machado Garry. A matchup between Buckley and Neal promises an exciting standup battle that fans will anticipate eagerly.
In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas delivered an impressive performance against Miranda Maverick. A decisive knockdown in the final round secured Namajunas a unanimous decision victory, snapping Maverick’s impressive four-fight win streak. Before facing Namajunas, Maverick had victories over notable fighters like Priscila Cachoeira and Andrea Lee. With Namajunas now ranked #7 in the women’s flyweight division and Maverick at #11, the competition remains fierce. Maverick's next bout will likely be against the loser of the upcoming fight between Viviane Araujo and Tracy Cortez, a matchup poised to reshape the ranks further.
Andre Petroski faced Edmen Shahbazyan and lost by unanimous decision. Shahbazyan outperformed Petroski throughout the fight, which ended Petroski's three-fight win streak. Petroski now holds a record of 8-3 in the UFC, and his next fight could set him against the loser of the upcoming clash between Jun Yong Park and Ismail Naurdiev. This matchup could provide clarity in the middleweight division after those contenders face off, making it a strategic pairing for Petroski.
Cody Garbrandt squared off with Raoni Barcelos, but unfortunately for Garbrandt, it resulted in another defeat, marking his third win in the last ten fights since losing the belt in 2017. At 34 years old, Garbrandt needs a significant win to regain his footing in the competitive bantamweight division. A potential matchup against Patchy Mix appears promising, especially after Mix's own need for a comeback following a tough outing against Mario Bautista.
Cody Brundage faced Mansur Abdul-Malik and suffered a technical decision loss due to a premature stoppage from a head clash. This outcome is disappointing for Brundage, now holding a record of 5-6 with one no contest in the UFC. Originally scheduled to fight Ryan Loder, who had to withdraw, Brundage now seeks to face Loder again. This fight could provide both fighters a chance to make a significant mark in a chaotic middleweight division.
Oumar Sy encountered a setback against Alonzo Menifield, who handed him his first professional loss in a technical decision. Menifield, ranked #15 in the light heavyweight division, capitalized on Sy's striking decisions to secure his victory. Not rushing Sy back into competition is prudent, especially since he is still establishing himself in the UFC. Potential next opponents for Sy could include Rodolfo Bellato or the loser of Jimmy Crute versus Marcin Prachnio. Bellato, with a similar level of experience, offers a compelling matchup for Sy moving forward.
Each fighter's journey continues to evolve following UFC Atlanta, setting the stage for exciting matchups that will shape the future landscape of their respective divisions.
