Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy UFC Predictions & Tips – May 18

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Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy UFC Predictions & Tips – Barboza To Halt Rise Of Murphy At UFC Fight Night

Leigh Copson

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Last updated: 16 May 2024

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Leigh Copson 16 May 2024

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Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy tips for Saturday, May 18
UFC Fight Night is taking place at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada
Can Murphy register the biggest win of his career?

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Edson Barboza (Getty Images)

Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy Predictions & Tips

Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy Predictions & Tips
Edson Barboza Form
Lerone Murphy Form

Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy Predictions & Tips

Edson Barboza are tipped to win this featherweight fight.

Barboza has both a size and experience advantage, and he lands more significant strikes per minute.

He also boasts excellent takedown defence, so the veteran is a tempting underdog here.

Edson Barboza is main-eventing for the 4th time
Edson Barboza is 4-2 in his last 6 fights at featherweight
Barboza lands 4.18 significant strikes per minute (Murphy 3.65)
4 of Lerone Murphy’s 6 UFC fights have gone the distance

Edson Barboza Form

Edson Barboza is the number 12 ranked featherweight contender with a professional record of 24-11 (14 KOs, 1 Sub).

Barboza first debuted in the UFC back in November 2010 and since that night he has faced a who’s who of fighters in the lighter weight classes.

Having campaigned at lightweight for almost nine years, the 38-year-old Brazilian made the move down to featherweight in May 2020.

He lost his debut fight in his new weight class, dropping a split decision to Dan Ige, but he soon rebounded.

Barboza beat Makwan Amirkhani by unanimous decision and then knocked out Shane Burgos in the third round.

His run was halted by a third-round TKO loss to Giga Chikadze, and that was followed by a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Bryce Mitchell.

‘Junior’ has not lost since though, backing up first-round knockout of Billy Quarantillo with a unanimous decision victory over Sodiq Yusuff.

Lerone Murphy Form

Lerone Murphy is the number 14 ranked featherweight contender with a career record of 13-0 (7 KOs) and 1 Draw.

Murphy joined the UFC in late 2019 and failed to make an immediate splash as he went to a split decision draw with Zubaira Tukhugov.

He quickly rebounded though, stopping Ricardo Ramos with strikes in the first round, and he then beat Douglas Silva de Andrade on points.

The 32-year-old Englishman then took out Makwan Amirkhani with strikes in October 2021, but did not fight again until March 2023.

Murphy made up for lost time as he earned himself a split decision win over Gabriel Santos.

‘The Miracle’ then forced his way into the featherweight rankings with a unanimous decision victory against Joshua Culibao last July.

Verdict

Edson Barboza v Lerone Murphy

We think the bookmakers are underestimating Edson Barboza in this one.

The veteran has fought and beat some of the very best in the game, and on the back of his last two showings there appears to be plenty left in the tank.

Edson Barboza

Winner

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