Brendan Miller
Rising featherweight prospect Lerone Murphy is looking for a signature victory on Saturday when he faces goalkeeper Edson Barboza in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy. The five-round battle tops the UFC Fight Night main card at the Apex facility in Las Vegas. Barboza, ranked 12th, is a 14-year UFC veteran who has spent the majority of his career serving as a litmus test for prospects looking to break into the top 10 rankings. This matchup is no different, as Barboza brings a two-fight win streak back on Saturday against the disqualified Murphy, who is undefeated in six UFC matches but is taking a step up in the competition in his first main event.
Murphy is a -150 favorite (risk $150 to win $100), while Barboza comes back at +125 in the latest UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. UFC odds. In the main event, Khaos Williams (-130) takes on Carlston Harris (+110) in an explosive welterweight bout. Before making any UFC Fight Night: Barboza x Murphy picks, be sure to see MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
From analyzing film and closely following fighters and their camps, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the entire breadth of the MMA betting landscape, from top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and regularly talks to MMA fighters to understand the nuances of the sport.
Vithlani made his SportsLine debut in January 2023 and won the UFC 283 main card with a 5-0 record and has been a consistent winner ever since. Over the last 11 UFC pay-per-view events, Vithlani has a 7-4 record on main event picks and his main card picks in that span have netted his followers a profit of more than $1,200.
His highlights include an upset for Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card and his UFC 299 winners included underdog selections in Dustin Poirier (+190 ) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130). Anyone who followed him saw massive returns.
Now, with UFC Fight Night: Barboza x Murphy in sight, Vithlani has studied the card from top to bottom and released his top selections. You can only see these picks on SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Barboza x Murphy preview
While the term gatekeeper often evokes a negative outlook of a former candidate who spends the twilight of his career being fed by hungry prospects with little hope of winning, Barboza’s professional trajectory embodies the spirit of the term.
Barboza had a 7-1 record early in his UFC career, but never challenged for a title in what has been one of the promotion’s deepest divisions. His career has evolved into a perpetual onslaught of high-profile and high-ranking opponents, with mixed results. Overall, the 38-year-old Brazilian has an 18-11 record in 29 UFC appearances, never winning or losing more than three in a row over the last 11 years.
Barboza is known for his world-class striking and durability, and his results suggest he is the ideal litmus test for prospects looking to take the next step. After a two-fight skid, he won back-to-back fights against prospects Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff to maintain his ranking while earning a performance bonus in both fights.
Murphy (13-0-1) is a graceful, versatile athlete who has demonstrated a refined skill set. The 32-year-old English fighter has drawn some comparisons with compatriot Leon Edwards, who enjoyed a similar gradual rise before becoming welterweight champion.
Murphy will make his first UFC appearance in the United States after several appearances in Abu Dhabi and London. His last performance resulted in a decision victory over colleague Joshua Culibao last July. You can only see who to support at UFC Fight Night here.
Top UFC Fight Night Predictions
Let’s reveal one of Vithalni’s UFC Fight Night selections here: He is betting on Emily Ducote (-320) to overcome Vanessa Demopolous (+270) in the women’s strawweight fight on the preliminary card.
Ducote (13-8) is a former Invicta FC strawweight champion who has earned a 2-2 record in four UFC appearances while facing high-level competition. She recorded a decision victory over veteran Ashley Yoder in October.
Demopolous (10-5) is a wrestling specialist and four-year UFC veteran who has won three of her last four fights. She made a decision against Kanako Murata in October.
“Ducote is a kickboxer with a Muay-Thai striking style. Ducote must defend takedowns and overcome Demopolous on the feet,” Vithlani told SportsLine. See who else can return here.
How to make choices in UFC Fight Night
Vithlani has strong choices for Barboza vs. Murphy and other fights on the UFC Fight Night card. He is also backing a fighter who “is a powerful boxer with a devastating right hand” to emerge with a dominant victory. These picks are only available on SportsLine.
Who wins UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now for in-depth UFC Fight Night picks, all from the MMA expert who cashed in more than $1,500 on his 2023 UFC main card picksand find out.
UFC Fight Night odds, fight card:
See all the UFC Fight Night picks, predictions and best bets here.
Lerone Murphy (-150) x Edson Barboza (+125)
Khaos Williams (-130) vs.
Themba Gorimbo (-150) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (+125)
Adrian Yanez (-360) x Vinicius Salvador (+285)
Luana Pinheiro (+115) x Ângela Hill (-135)
Victor Martinez (+380) vs.
Tamires Vidal (+270) x Melissa Gatto (-340)
Abus Magomedov (-275) vs. Warlley Alves (+230)
Alateng Heili (+135) x Kleydson Rodrigues (-160)
Emily Ducote (-320) vs. Vanessa Demopolous (+270)
