The World Reels as Usman Claims Victory Over Buckley
A Thrilling Night of MMA in Atlanta: UFC Fight Night Recap
The lights were shining bright on the stage of State Farm Arena in Atlanta as the Octagon returned with a bang, delivering an action-packed preliminary card that hinted at the excitement to come. The main event did not disappoint, with Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley putting on a show that left fans on the edge of their seats. But what made this night truly special was the way the competition tightened up as business shifted to the main card.
The preliminary card got off to a scorching start with Alonzo Menifield’s victory over Oumar Sy, sending shockwaves through the light heavyweight division. The 28-year-old sensation proved his mettle against one of the unbeaten prospects in the division, securing a unanimous decision win that has many wondering if he’s the real deal. But what about Mansur Abdul-Malik? The Xtreme Couture representative continued his impressive run with a technical decision victory over Cody Brundage, moving forward in the middleweight division.
The question on everyone’s mind heading into this fight was how would Cody Brundage fare against the undefeated prospect? The answer was clear: he simply didn’t have the answers. Abdul-Malik’s wrestling prowess and aggression proved too much for Brundage to handle, as he collected his third win in the UFC.
As the night progressed, another question began to surface: what does Edmen Shahbazyan have next? The 27-year-old phenom continued his resurgence with a unanimous decision victory over Andre Petroski. Shahbazyan’s patience and defensive responsibility paid off, as he used his kicks to devastating effect against the former middleweight prospect.
But it was Raoni Barcelos who stole the show in the co-main event against Cody Garbrandt. The 38-year-old veteran worked his way to a decision win over the former bantamweight champion, showcasing his speed and agility that left fans wondering what’s next for this intriguing figure on the fringes of the Top 15 in the ultra-competitive 135-pound weight class.
And then there was Rose Namajunas. The former strawweight champ returned from off a loss to Erin Blanchfield with a strong performance against Miranda Maverick, solidifying her position at the top of the stacked 125-pound division. The victory marked another step forward for the veteran contender, who remains in the thick of the chase as we head into the back half of the 2025 campaign.
In the end, it was Kamaru Usman’s vintage performance that stole the show. The former welterweight champion collected a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley, showcasing his wrestling prowess and precision striking. As he moves forward in his quest to reclaim the top spot in the division, one question lingers: can anyone truly stop Usman?
The answer remains to be seen, but for now, this was an unforgettable night of MMA that will leave fans eagerly anticipating what’s next from these talented fighters.
