Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy targeted to headline UFC card on May 18
The second-quarter UFC schedule continues to fill out with main events with the addition of Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy at UFC Fight Night on May 18.
Ranked featherweights will clash at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas when Barboza (24-11 MMA, 18-11 UFC) takes on Murphy (13-0-1 MMA, 5-0-1 UFC) in a matchup scheduled for five rounds.
Two people with knowledge of the booking verified the news to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA journalist Laerte Viana. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Barboza, an honorable mention in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie featherweight rankings, will make his 30th walk to the octagon at the event. The Brazilian is one of the most decorated fighters in company history to never compete for a title, and has put on a plethora of memorable bouts. Barboza, 38, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Sodiq Yusuff at UFC Fight Night 230 in October, and he received his UFC record 10th Fight of the Night bonus in that performance.
He will next be tasked with the undefeated No. 13-ranked Murphy, who gets a big step up in competition. Murphy, 32, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Joshua Culibao at UFC Fight Night 224 in July.