In a highly unusual development at UFC Atlanta on June 14, 2025, the Georgia State Athletic Commission overturned the original outcome of the middleweight contest between Cody Brundage and Mansur Abdul-Malik. The bout, initially decided as a unanimous technical decision loss for Brundage, has now been officially ruled a majority draw following an appeal.
This rare decision came after a thorough review process by the commission, highlighting the complexity surrounding the fight’s stoppage and subsequent scoring adjustments. The fight’s altered result marks a notable incident in MMA officiating, particularly under Georgia’s regulatory framework.
Details Behind the Fight’s Controversial Outcome
The clash between Brundage and Abdul-Malik was halted 36 seconds into the third round due to an accidental headbutt, which led to a TKO stoppage favoring Abdul-Malik. After the stoppage, a replay official deemed the head clash unintentional and seized on technical decision rules to award Abdul-Malik the win.
However, according to Georgia commission rules, no scoring is applied to rounds that are incomplete. Since the fight concluded early in the third round, this round was excluded from scoring, prompting the commission to adjust the official result to a majority draw.
Cody Brundage’s June 14th bout against Mansur Abdul-Malik has been overturned to a majority draw. I want to thank the Georgia commission for their professionalism and thorough review of Mr. Brundage’s appeal.
—Lance Spaude, Manager
Brundage’s Recent String of Unusual Fight Results
Cody Brundage has experienced an unusual run of contested outcomes in his recent UFC career. In 2023, he was awarded a disqualification victory after an illegal elbow by Jacob Malkoun. The following year, a match against Abdul Razak Alhassan ended with a no-contest after another illegal strike early in the fight.
The latest overturned decision related to the accidental head clash further adds to Brundage’s troubled streak, underscoring an ongoing pattern of fights disrupted by irregular incidents. This sequence raises questions about the challenges fighters face when unforeseen events heavily influence official results.
The Impact of the Commission’s Decision on UFC and Fighters
The Georgia State Athletic Commission’s ruling sets a notable precedent, reflecting how regulatory guidance and interpretation can dramatically alter fight outcomes. For Brundage and Abdul-Malik, the majority draw reshapes their records and could influence their future matchups and rankings within the UFC middleweight division.
Abdul-Malik has not issued public remarks regarding the decision, leaving uncertainty about his response as the implications of this ruling continue to unfold within the sport.