There’s a mouthwatering line-up of match-ups in UFC’s Fight Night in Las Vegas on the weekend of May 18/19.
Here, Adam Nash picks out a selection of the best fights and gives his thoughts and predictions on the bruising encounters set to take place at the UFC Apex in Sin City.
Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy
Lerone Murphy returns to the cage in a match-up against Edson Barboza in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex. In Murphy’s previous fight he beat Joshua Culibao in round three which meant that he is still unbeaten in his professional career.
Barboza’s previous fight came against Sodiq Yusuff in October 2023 where he won in round five.
The two fighters both have similar fighting styles – they have striker fighting styles which means that they both utilise punches and kicks but also elbow strikes.
The fact that they both have the same attacking style means that it’s going to be a very competitive and exciting fight to watch.
Barboza is well known for his incredible striking and he manages to land 4.18 significant strikes a minute. He also has incredible power, and this is shown by 14 of his 24 wins coming by knockout/technical knockout.
Despite Murphy being undefeated in his professional career he hasn’t fought any fighter that is ranked, that is why Barboza is the favourite for this fight due to this being the first time Murphy will be fighting an elite professional fighter.
Khaos Wiliams vs Carlston Harris
Khaos Williams returns to the cage for the first time since May 7, 2023, where he beat Rolando Bedoya by decision. Harris is returning to the cage for the first time since August 2023, when he beat Jeremiah Wells in round three by submission.
Out of Williams’ 14 wins he has won seven by knockout, one by submission and six by first-round finishes.
Harris has a record of 19 wins and five losses – seven of these wins are by knockout, six by submission and six first-round finishes.
Williams has an average of 5.77 significant strikes landed per minute compared to Harris, who has an average of 2.93 strikes landed per minute.
Carlston Harris has been made the favourite to win the fight at 1.71 by the bookies.
Luana Pinheiro vs Angela Hill
Luana Pinheiro returns to the octagon in a fight vs Angela Hill after her first loss in November.
Hill is coming off the back of a unanimous decision win over Denise Gomes last November – in 2022 she went on a losing streak of three fights in a row.
Pinheiro will be a tough opponent for Hill as she has just come off a loss to Amanda Ribas in November – before that fight she was unbeaten.
Hill has an average of 4.94 significant strikes absorbed per minute but also has 5.44 significant strikes landed per minute compared to Pinheiro’s 3.89 significant strikes landed per minute and 4.38 strikes absorbed.
There is a lot on the line for this fight as the winner could move closer to the title contention and be in the top five in the strawweight division.
The current favourite for this fight is ‘The Overkill’ Angela Hill.
Adrian Yanez vs Vinicius Salvador
Both fighters are looking to come back to the octagon with a win after losing their previous fights. Yanez lost to Jonathon Martinez in the second round by knockout and Salvador lost to CJ Vergara by unanimous decision.
Yanez has got an average of 6.55 strikes landed per minute which is the third all-time among the bantamweight division – and also has an average fight time of seven minutes and 51 seconds which is the fifth hottest in the division.
Yanez is the heavy favourite for this fight due to his experience in the octagon and attacking style. Yanez is also ranked 24th compared to Salvador, who is ranked 50th in the bantamweight division.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Las Vegas recall: Five famous Conor McGregor fights in Sin City