UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.
