The UFC’s final show of May took place at the APEX in Las Vegas, featuring a lineup headlined by Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy. While the event lacked star power, there were still notable moments and takeaways, including potential contenders emerging in various weight classes.
One standout moment occurred on the preliminary card when Australian fighter Tom Nolan staged an impressive comeback against Victor Martinez. Despite early adversity, Nolan rallied with a well-timed knee strike to secure a victory, showcasing resilience in a loaded lightweight division.
In the main card opener, Angela Hill surprised many with her victory over Luana Pinheiro. Despite being considered past her prime at 39, Hill displayed new skills, notably submitting Pinheiro with a mounted guillotine for the first submission win of her career. The win could potentially propel Hill back into the top ten rankings, reaffirming her relevance in the strawweight division.
Welterweight Khaos Williams capitalized on his spotlight opportunity with a brutal knockout victory over Carlston Harris. Despite the lack of top-fifteen rankings for either fighter, Williams’ impressive performance earned him a bonus and likely secured more opportunities in the future as a reliable action fighter.
In the bantamweight division, Adrian Yanez showcased his devastating punching power in a win over Vinicius Salvador. While Yanez’s offensive skills are undeniable, his defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, indicating areas for improvement if he aims to contend for a UFC title.
The headline bout featured Lerone Murphy’s breakout performance against veteran Edson Barboza in the featherweight division. Despite facing a formidable opponent, Murphy dominated the stand-up fight, displaying superior striking skills and earning a convincing victory. Murphy’s performance positions him as a dark horse contender in the featherweight division, with potential for future matchups against top-ten opponents.
Overall, while UFC Fight Night: Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy may not be remembered as a standout event, it offered several noteworthy moments and potential contenders across multiple weight classes.
