UFC Vegas 92 Preview
The UFC is returning to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 92 on Saturday May 18. The main event will be in the featherweight division between veteran #12 Edson Barboza and undefeated contender #14 Lerone Murphy.
Barboza has won two straight fights having most recently defeated Sodiq Yusuff by unanimous decision in October. The Brazilian has become known by UFC fans as a dangerous knockout artist, but the 38-year-old is 5-5 in his last 10 fights. Despite his recent inconsistencies, he has been fighting in the UFC since 2010 and has won 18 fights with nine coming by TKO.
With a win on Saturday, Barboza has big plans. “If one guy deserves to fight for the BMF title, it’s me,” Barboza said. “Who has better highlight knockouts than me? Bro, imagine. I love Max Holloway, he’s one of my favorite fighters ever. I love to watch him fight, and he’s a very nice guy, very family guy, but imagine a fight against him for the BMF belt.”
He continued, “It’s going to be very, very good for me and him and the company. Like I said, I have 30 fights in the UFC. I think I deserve that. Of course, my focus is 100 percent on the next one, but I think it’s going to be good.”
Barboza explained it is his appreciation for BMF champion Max Holloway that is driving him to want the fight. “Bro, like I said, I love him,” Barboza said. “I loved to watch the whole fight. He showed heart. He’s a great striker. He played everywhere. He’s definitely one of my favorite fighters ever to watch. I think that he’s one of the best ever, and it’s going to be a pleasure sharing the octagon with him.”
When Holloway won the BMF belt it opened exciting options at both featherweight and lightweight with higher ranked fighters. Perhaps he will entertain the idea of a fight with Barboza if the Brazilian gets another massive knockout win over Murphy. Barboza must stay focused on Saturday’s opponent and not look ahead to Holloway, because Murphy has proven he is incredibly dangerous.
Barboza has key wins in his extensive career over Shane Burgos, Dan Hooker, Beneil Dariush, Gilbert Melendez, Anthony Pettis, Paul Felder and Bobby Green. Another win over a rising contender will remind the featherweight division that even at 38 years old, Barboza is not a steppingstone.
Murphy has won five straight fights since scoring a split draw against Zubaira Tukhugov at UFC 242 in 2019. He most recently won a unanimous decision over Joshua Culibao last July. The 32-year-old was excited to be offered a fight with Barboza.
"My first thoughts were, ‘wow, this is my opportunity, this is my breakthrough'," said Murphy.
"It was literally a text from the matchmaker wanting me to fight Barboza - five rounds. I thought, 'this is my time to shine now'.”
Murphy has dealt with near death experiences which have helped him prepare for the biggest fight of his life. In 2013 he almost lost his life after being shot in the face outside a barbers in Manchester, England and then in 2022 he was nearly killed again after being hit by a car while on his bicycle.
“Everything happens for a reason to put you on to a better path, and I feel like now is the time," he said.
"If I got this fight three years ago, maybe I wouldn't have been ready, but now I feel ready."
The English fighter knows what a win over Barboza will do for him. "I have to put on a performance, there's no two ways about it," said Murphy.
"One, for my own safety. And two, they've put me in the main event now, so there's no messing about. You can't be in no boring fights. I want this opportunity again.
"The big thing is fighting Edson Barbosa. He’s a legend of the sport and a dangerous fighter. That's what excites me and that's going to bring the best out of me."
The rest of the main event:
Welterweight - Khaos Williams vs. Carlston Harris
Welterweight - Themba Gorimbo vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
Bantamweight - Adrian Yanez vs. Vinicius Salvador
Women's Strawweight - #9 Luana Pinheiro vs. #12 Angela Hill
ESPN+ Prelims:
Light Heavyweight - Oumar Sy vs. Tuco Tokkos
Lightweight - Victor Martinez vs. Tom Nolan
Women's Bantamweight - Tamires Vidal vs. Melissa Gatto
Middleweight - Abus Magomedov vs. Warlley Alves
Women's Strawweight - Piera Rodriguez vs. Ariane Carnelossi
Flyweight - Alateng Heili vs. Kleydson Rodrigues
Women's Strawweight - Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Emily Ducote
