The next UFC fight to predict is the weekend’s main event between featherweights Edson Barboza and Lerone Murphy. Continue reading for the Barboza vs Murphy UFC betting analysis and prediction ahead of betting on any upcoming UFC fights this weekend.
Striking Showdown: Barboza vs. Murphy, Are They Ready for Fight Night? If you are ready to, check out our scores and odds for additional betting insights!
Sponsored Ad
Game Details and Betting Picks
Barboza vs Murphy Information
Location of the fight: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Date and Time: May 18, 2024. 7 PM ET Main card start
Where to Watch: ESPN+
This is the chance for Murphy to prove whether or not he’s ready for the ranked contenders of the division. Will the UFC legend Edson Barboza be able to prove he still can compete at the highest level?
Combine UFC Picks with Other Combats! Explore Picks and Parlays for Upcoming Events and maximise your experience!
Last Fight Record
Barboza is coming off a unanimous decision win over Sodiq Yusuff last October.
Murphy is coming off a unanimous decision win over Joshua Culibao last July.
Sponsored Ad
Barboza vs Murphy Betting Analysis
Edson Barboza
Barboza is a Brazilian mixed martial artist with a professional record of 24-11, including 14 TKO/KO wins and 1 submission. He had a great Muay Thai career before fighting in MMA, having a record of 25-3. In the UFC, he has taken home 12 post-fight bonuses.
Barboza is listed as a 5’11” orthodox kickboxer with a 75” reach. He averages 4.18 significant strikes landed and 4.34 significant strikes absorbed per minute in the octagon. Edson also holds a solid 75% takedown defense over the last decade-plus of work. He is 38 years old now, headlining his 5th UFC event.
Lerone Murphy
Murphy is an English mixed martial artist with a 13-0-1 undefeated professional MMA record, including 7 wins by TKO/KO under his belt at 32 years old. Before the UFC, Lerone Murphy won a featherweight title at Full Contact Contender in Europe and now has collected one post-fight bonus in the UFC.
Murphy is listed as a 5’9” orthodox fighter with a 73” reach. He averages an efficient 3.65 significant strikes landed and only 2.40 absorbed per minute in the octagon–with a 50% striking accuracy. He adds 1.29 takedowns per 15 minutes at a 46% clip.
Updates
No injuries have been reported to the UFC or ESPN.
Barboza vs Murphy Betting Preview
The Barboza vs Murphy UFC betting analysis can only tell a sports bettor so much about these UFC fighters this week. We need to dig deeper into what the betting lines look like and how the styles of both fighters will clash in the octagon on Saturday.
According to the current UFC odds to win, Barboza is heading into the weekend at +113 underdog odds to win. Murphy is the -133 betting favorite over the UFC legend. This bout is favored to end inside the distance at -140.
Making UFC bets is the toughest thing to do in sports betting, but understanding the styles of fighters and how they might want to win the fight will help you win at the sportsbooks.
Barboza is going to want to keep the fight on the feet and have a Muay Thai match against Murphy. That is where he excels and can outclass the undefeated prospect. He is very solid on the ground from years of training and experience, but why would he want to engage in anything else by striking?
Murphy will want to mix it up. He is very efficient because he is unpredictable and patient in the octagon. He is physically strong and slick in multiple aspects of mixed martial arts.
The age is a big factor in this one, but Barboza honestly looks to be in incredible shape right now and he just beat a very dynamic and powerful younger fighter last year.
Barboza vs Murphy Betting Prediction
After breaking down the Barboza vs Murphy UFC betting analysis and going over the betting lines on this weekend’s UFC fight schedule, we predict that Barboza will get his hand raised.
Don’t overthink this one because Barboza has plenty of value as the underdog. He is the more experienced fighter and Murphy hasn’t seen anyone at Barboza’s level stand in front of him.
Barboza needs to be a bully in the cage on Saturday night and show his strength in the clinch. Controlling the center of the octagon is key, and Barboza will do that by beating up Murphy’s body with his kicks.
Murphy will fade in the middle rounds and Barboza will be right there because he knows the pacing of these 5-round fights.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter . Sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks. Make sure to visit the best offshore betting sites to maximize your betting experience.
Our sports picks are based on analysis, not guarantees. Bet at your own risk. If you think that you need help please visit NCPG website or call 1-800-GAMBLER