UFC Atlanta was the promotion’s sixth trip to the state of Georgia and fifth to the ATL.
Saturday brought another main card six fights deep. All of the fights on the main card also went to a decision, though not all of them went the distance with one ending due to technical decision (via head clash). In the main event Joaquin Buckley was denied by the former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman in a five-round Fight of the Night winner. Some tricky, sensitive matchups for the fighters on this card.
Joaquin Buckley
Kamaru Usman turned back the clock and utilized his wrestling to derail the surging Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta. Buckley entered the fight riding a six-fight win streak seeing him stop four fighters in the stretch. Buckley entered the fight ranked at #7 in the welterweight division, while the former welterweight champ was ranked at #5.
The only move really for Buckley at this point-as the welterweight rankings are stagnant in some areas- is to fight Geoff Neal. Neal has won three of his last five losing only to Shavkat Rakhmanov and Ian Machado Garry in that nearly four-year stretch. The #11 ranked UFC welterweight was supposed to fight Carlos Prates on UFC 314 in April before he was forced to withdraw. If Neal is healthy, that is 100% the fight to make. A slick boxer that has excellent cage clinch work, Neal is incredibly dangerous. This will be an exciting back and forth standup battle that would be at treat for fans and an easy fight night headliner. Leaning on the optimistic side as well in terms of timing- Buckley will need a few months after the five-round dogfight, hopefully Neal is ready by then.
Buckley’s next fight: Geoff Neal
Miranda Maverick
Rose Namajunas’s last round knockdown secured a unanimous decision win over Miranda Maverick in the co-main event of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. The loss snaps a four-fight win streak for Maverick seeing her defeating the likes of Priscila Cachoeira, Andrea Lee, Dione Barbosa and Jamey-Lyn Horth. Maverick entered the fight ranked at #11 while Rose was ranked at #7 in the women’s flyweight division.
Cortez is currently ranked at #10 in the division while Araujo is ranked at #8. Tracy’s last time out was actually on short notice against Rose after Macy Barber withdrew last July. Cortez lost a five round unaimous decision in that fight. Cortez was temporarily slated against Maverick in July but will instead face Viviane on UFC 317. Araujo has won two of her last three with wins over Jenifer Maia and most recently, Karine Silva, last November. Good fight to make with the winner of this one likely rounding out the top 10-12. The loser would likely fall towards the tail end of the divisional rankings.
Maverick’s next fight: Loser of Viviane Araujo vs. Tracy Cortez
Andre Petroski
Andre Petroski was out-struck by a sharp and focused looking Edmen Shahbazyan on the way to a unanimous decision defeat Saturday. Petroski is now 8-3 with the UFC and had his three-fight win streak snapped with the loss.
Petroski should take on the loser of Jun Yong Park vs Ismail Naurdiev who fight on June 21. The timing would match up perfectly especially if the fight goes the distance. Ismail Naurdiev is currently on his second stint with the UFC after going 2-2 in 2019-2020. Naurdiev defeated Bruno Silva via unanimous decision back in October to welcome himself back to the UFC. Jun Yong Park is 8-3 with the UFC and has won five of his last six dating back to 2021. (Only dropping a split decision to Andre Muniz in December of 2023). A meaningful middleweight fight for the loser of this one as this division still needs to be sorted out.
Andre’s next fight: Loser of Jun Yong Park vs Ismail Naurdiev
Cody Garbrandt
Ranoi Barcelos defeated Cody Garbrandt in a high paced fight that went the distance. Garbrandt has now won just three of his last 10 fights dating back to losing the belt in 2017.
This outcome for Garbrandt does potentially set up a pretty interesting next fight. As a former bantamweight champion, he still holds a name but realistically turns 34 this next month at 135lbs.- which is an elite division. Garbrandt has been defeated by high level guys and the UFC 316 edition of Losers pitting him against Patchy Mix would still be a solid option. Patchy, who had a terrible UFC debut against then, #10 ranked, Mario Bautista needs a bounce back fight.
Cody desperately needs a win against relevant competition to finally plant his footing from his multiyear free fall. If Mix chooses to strike, Cody could have the potential to end the fight. And if the bout goes to the ground, Patchy has a good shot to stop the bout as well. Loser might be looking at whispers from the fan base of fighting for a roster spot with another loss.
Garbrandt’s next fight: Patchy Mix
Cody Brundage
Cody Brundage lost a technical decision to the undefeated Mansur Abdul-Malik at UFC Atlanta, after the bout was stopped prematurely due to an accidental clash of heads. A disappointing outing undoubtedly for Brundage as he is now 5-6, 1 NC in the UFC.
Brundage was matched up against The Ultimate Fighter Season 32 winner, Ryan Loder in March. However, the fight never went down as Loder withdrew. Instead, he fought Azamat Bekoev in May and was finished in the first round. This would great fight to revisit now after both outcomes though the timing isn’t the best. Both guys need to establish themselves within a chaotic middleweight division.
Brundage’s next fight: Ryan Loder
Oumar Sy
Alonzo Menifield defeated Oumar Sy in a technical battle that saw Sy’s decision to strike, ultimately cost him his undefeated record. Menifield entered the fight ranked at #15 in the light heavyweight division while Sy was on the outside looking in, without a ranking.
The light heavyweight division is an extremely shallow place and there is no reason to rush the 29-year-old after this misstep. Sy is just 2-1 with the UFC. He’s got options. If Paul Craig vs Rodlfo Bellato is not rebooked after its no contest ending, then Bellato would be an excellent next opponent for Sy. Bellato is a two-time Contender Series vet that is 1-0-1, 1 NC with the promotion. Bellato is 12-2-1 as a pro, so very similar experience level. However, it’s understandable if that matchup doesn’t happen as the feature preliminary bout of UFC Atlanta between Craig and Bellato ended controversially. A good back up would be winner of Jimmy Crute vs Marcin Prachnio. Both fighters have 10 fights with the promotion and Crute has a draw and a loss to Menifield. Ideally, Bellato and Sy fight to determine their legitimacy within the division.
Sy’s next fight: Rodolfo Bellato or Loser of Jimmy Crute vs Marcin Prachnio
