UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy delivered an action-packed evening of mixed martial arts at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 18, 2024. Also known as UFC Vegas 92 and UFC Fight Night 241, this ESPN+ event featured 12 thrilling fights with breakout performances, controversial disqualifications, and history-making moments. Undefeated British featherweight Lerone Murphy dominated veteran Edson Barboza in the main event while multiple fighters earned first-round finishes throughout the card.
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UFC Fight Night Barboza vs Murphy Main Card Results
Main Event: Edson Barboza vs Lerone Murphy - Featherweight
Winner: Lerone Murphy (England) via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
In a dominant performance that announced his arrival as a legitimate featherweight contender, England's Lerone Murphy dismantled Brazilian veteran Edson Barboza over five one-sided rounds. The 32-year-old Manchester native improved his undefeated record to 14-0-1 while extending his winning streak to six consecutive victories.
Fighting in his first UFC main event and first fight on American soil at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy, Murphy was explosive and relentless from the opening bell. The unbeaten Englishman punished the No. 12 ranked Barboza with a wicked assortment of punches and kicks throughout the 25-minute affair, completely outclassing one of the division's most experienced and dangerous strikers.
Murphy's striking volume and accuracy were overwhelming. He landed an astonishing 141 more significant strikes than Barboza, the third-highest strike differential ever recorded at featherweight. The British fighter's jab to head and body was consistently on point, keeping Barboza at range and unable to establish his rhythm.
Beyond his striking superiority, Murphy showcased improved wrestling by successfully taking Barboza down four times—a significant accomplishment against a veteran known for his excellent takedown defense. In fact, no fighter has ever landed more than four takedowns against Barboza in a single bout, and all four who achieved this feat went on to win the fight.
The 38-year-old Barboza showed his legendary toughness by surviving the full 25 minutes despite absorbing tremendous punishment. However, he was unable to mount any sustained offense against Murphy's relentless pace and technical superiority. The scorecards reflected the one-sided nature of the contest, with two judges scoring it 50-45 and one judge having it 49-46, all for Murphy.
Post-fight, Murphy's stock skyrocketed, with analysts predicting he will find himself ranked within the UFC featherweight top 15 when the new rankings are released. The performance earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors and a $50,000 bonus each, bringing Barboza's total UFC bonuses to 13—tying him with legends like Dustin Poirier for ninth all-time.
For Barboza, the loss snapped a two-fight winning streak but did nothing to diminish his legacy as one of the toughest competitors in UFC history. He has now competed 30 times inside the Octagon and holds the record (tied with Poirier) for most Fight of the Night bonuses in UFC history with nine.
Co-Main Event: Khaos Williams vs Carlston Harris - Welterweight
Winner: Khaos Williams (United States) via KO (Right Hand) at 1:30 of Round 1
American knockout artist Khaos Williams lived up to his nickname with a devastating first-round destruction of Guyana's Carlston Harris. The explosive finish came at just 90 seconds into the opening round. The finish at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy marks Williams's third career knockout in 90 seconds or less.
Williams joined Anthony Johnson and Johny Hendricks as the only welterweights in UFC history to score three knockouts in 90 seconds or less—an elite club that underscores his exceptional punching power. The 29-year-old had fought just twice in the previous two years, splitting those contests via split decisions, making this emphatic statement victory particularly important for his career momentum.
Harris, who entered with an impressive finishing record (eight finishes in his last 11 wins), was building momentum before running into Williams's power. The fight began with both welterweights searching for range, but Williams's speed and precision quickly became apparent. With Harris attempting to close distance, Williams uncorked a perfectly placed right hand that caught the Guyanese fighter flush on the chin.
The punch sent Harris crashing to the canvas, his body going stiff upon impact. Referee Herb Dean immediately waved off the contest at 1:30 of round one, with no follow-up shots necessary. The spectacular knockout earned Williams a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and reestablished him as one of the most dangerous power punchers in the welterweight division.
For Harris, who fell to 19-6 overall and 5-2 in the UFC, the loss was a harsh reminder of the unforgiving nature of the welterweight division. Despite his strong overall record and multiple UFC finishes, he was stopped cold by Williams's exceptional one-punch power.
Themba Gorimbo vs Ramiz Brahimaj - Welterweight
Winner: Themba Gorimbo (Zimbabwe) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
In an emotionally charged but technically grinding contest, Zimbabwe's Themba Gorimbo earned a unanimous decision victory over submission specialist Ramiz Brahimaj of Albania. Fighting with heavy hearts after his coach's mother passed away earlier in the week, Gorimbo vowed to win in her honor at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy—and delivered on that promise.
The 33-year-old Gorimbo, improving to 13-4 overall and 3-1 in the UFC, controlled the fight primarily through grinding clinch work and positional dominance. Brahimaj, who entered with a perfect 100% submission rate as a professional (10 career submissions in 10 finishes), was unable to impose his grappling game effectively.
Throughout the 15-minute contest, Brahimaj repeatedly attempted takedowns, but his entries were poorly executed, often resulting in him falling to his back with Gorimbo landing on top. The Albanian fighter appeared compromised, possibly still recovering from what was described as a "nearly career-ending injury" suffered prior to this bout.
Gorimbo controlled position throughout, landing knees and elbows in the clinch while defending Brahimaj's submission attempts. The Zimbabwe native's jab and front kicks kept Brahimaj at range when standing, and his superior strength allowed him to dictate positioning in close quarters.
The fight at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy was notably uneventful from an action standpoint, with Gorimbo at one point apologizing to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby for the "anti-Fight of the Night performance." Shelby good-naturedly gave him double thumbs-up signs in response. Despite the lack of excitement, Gorimbo's clean sweep of the scorecards (30-27 on all three cards) was never in doubt.
The victory improved Gorimbo's position in the welterweight division and honored his coach's late mother, fulfilling the emotional promise he made before the contest.
Adrian Yanez vs Vinicius Salvador - Bantamweight
Winner: Adrian Yanez (United States) via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 2:47 of Round 1
Dana White's Contender Series graduate Adrian Yanez returned to winning ways at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy with an explosive first-round TKO of Brazil's Vinicius Salvador. The 30-year-old American bounced back from a pair of 2023 losses with his signature speed and precision striking.
From the opening bell, both bantamweights came out hunting for big shots. Yanez, showcasing the hand speed and technical precision that made him a prospect to watch, began finding his range with clean combinations. Salvador offered wider, more unconventional attacks, but Yanez's tighter technique proved superior.
Midway through the first round, Yanez landed a clean combination that put the Brazilian on the canvas. Sensing the finish, the American immediately swarmed with ground-and-pound, unleashing a barrage of punches that forced referee Mark Smith to intervene at 2:47 of the opening frame.
The victory marked Yanez's sixth UFC win in eight starts and his third first-round finish inside the Octagon. After suffering back-to-back losses in 2023 that threatened to derail his bantamweight aspirations, the stoppage win got him back on track. Post-fight, Yanez called out Daniel Santos, with Santos accepting the challenge on social media, potentially setting up an exciting bantamweight clash.
For Salvador, who had shown promise in his UFC appearances, the loss highlighted the unforgiving nature of the bantamweight division, where one mistake against an elite striker like Yanez can end the fight instantly. Notably, this marked the first time in Vidal's nine-fight career that she had been knocked out.
Angela Hill vs Luana Pinheiro - Women's Strawweight
Winner: Angela Hill (United States) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:12 of Round 2
In a history-making performance, 39-year-old veteran Angela Hill accomplished something she had never done in her decorated career—securing a submission victory. The American forced Brazil's Luana Pinheiro to tap to a guillotine choke in the second round, earning her first submission win and cementing her legacy as the UFC's all-time winningest female strawweight.
Hill, known exclusively as a striker throughout her career, showcased continually improving grappling throughout the fight. In the first round, she surprised observers by taking Pinheiro down and controlling position. In the second round, she controlled the clinch effectively, demonstrating a well-rounded game plan.
The finish came in dramatic fashion late in the second round. As the two fighters worked in the center of the cage, Pinheiro dropped her head—a fatal mistake. Hill immediately recognized the opportunity, clamping onto the neck and sitting back into a tight guillotine choke. Unable to escape the submission, Pinheiro was forced to tap at 4:12 of round two.
The submission victory at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy was particularly significant for Hill's legacy. The win gave her 11 victories at 115 pounds, breaking a four-way tie with Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Carla Esparza for most strawweight wins in UFC history. Additionally, Hill competed in her 24th UFC bout as a strawweight, further distancing herself from the pack (Tecia Pennington is second among active fighters with 16).
The $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus was Hill's fifth in the division, tying her with Weili Zhang for fourth-most post-fight bonuses in strawweight history (Jessica Andrade holds the record with nine).
For the 30-year-old Pinheiro, the loss was devastating as she became the first fighter to submit the Brazilian in 13 professional fights. The defeat halted her momentum and exposed vulnerabilities in her defensive grappling.
UFC Fight Night Barboza vs Murphy Preliminary Card Results
Tom Nolan vs Victor Martinez - Lightweight
Winner: Tom Nolan (Australia) via TKO (Knee and Punches) at 3:50 of Round 1
Australian striker Tom Nolan extended his finishing streak at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy with a brutal first-round stoppage of Victor Martinez. The decisive blow came when Nolan landed a crushing knee to the body followed by a flurry of punches that forced referee Jason Herzog to intervene.
Nolan, showing why he's considered one of Australia's most promising prospects, demonstrated patient striking before exploding with the knee that folded Martinez. The finish marked Nolan's fifth consecutive victory via strikes, with four of those coming in the first round—a testament to his aggressive finishing instinct.
The victory improved Nolan's record and positioned him as an exciting lightweight prospect to watch. His ability to find finishes early and often makes him a must-watch fighter whenever he enters the Octagon.
For Martinez, the early stoppage was a disappointing setback in his UFC journey, unable to showcase his skills against the aggressive Australian.
Oumar Sy vs George Tokkos - Light Heavyweight
Winner: Oumar Sy (France) via Submission (Face Crank) at 3:43 of Round 1
Maiking his UFC debut at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy, France's Oumar Sy remained undefeated with a first-round submission of promotional newcomer George Tokkos. The finish came via a technically unique face crank rather than a traditional rear-naked choke, demonstrating Sy's grappling creativity.
Sy quickly took the fight to the ground and worked for back control. Unable to secure the choke under the chin, the French fighter adjusted and applied tremendous pressure across Tokkos's face, forcing the tap at 3:43 of the opening round.
The victory was significant as Tokkos had never been submitted in his first 13 professional fights, making Sy the first to accomplish the feat. The impressive debut announced Sy as a legitimate light heavyweight prospect who can threaten opponents with both strikes and submissions.
For Tokkos, his UFC debut ended in disappointing fashion, submitted for the first time in his career and unable to showcase the skills that earned him a promotional contract.
Melissa Gatto vs Tamires Vidal - Women's Bantamweight
Winner: Melissa Gatto (Brazil) via TKO (Body Shot) at 0:37 of Round 3
In her UFC bantamweight debut at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy, Brazil's Melissa Gatto dominated fellow Brazilian Tamires Vidal before securing a controversial third-round stoppage with a punch to the breast. The finish sparked significant discussion within the women's MMA community about fighter safety and medical protocols.
Gatto controlled the first two rounds with superior striking and grappling, establishing clear dominance before the controversial finish. Just 37 seconds into the third round, Gatto landed a punch directly to Vidal's breast, causing immediate distress. Vidal was unable to continue, and referee Mark Smith stopped the contest.
The stoppage marked the first time in Vidal's nine-fight career that she had been stopped via strikes. Post-fight, the finish raised concerns about protective equipment in women's MMA, with some fighters and analysts calling for mandatory breast protection similar to groin protection for male fighters.
For Gatto, the victory marked a successful move to bantamweight and improved her UFC record. For Vidal, the loss was particularly frustrating given the unusual nature of the stoppage.
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Warlley Alves - Middleweight
Winner: Abusupiyan Magomedov (Russia) via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Russian middleweight Abusupiyan Magomedov bounced back from his 2023 losses at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Brazilian veteran Warlley Alves. The performance was one-sided from start to finish, with all three judges scoring every round for Magomedov (30-26 sweep).
After landing on the wrong side of results in both his 2023 outings, Magomedov kicked off his 2024 campaign by getting things moving in the right direction. The Russian controlled range with his striking and defended Alves's takedown attempts effectively, improving his UFC record to 2-2 and overall mark to 27-6-1.
Alves, a veteran of the sport, was unable to implement his game plan against Magomedov's length and technical striking. The Brazilian's inability to secure takedowns or land significant strikes resulted in a clear-cut victory for the Russian.
The win was crucial for Magomedov, who needed to prove he belonged in the competitive middleweight division after his pair of 2023 setbacks.
Ariane Carnelossi vs Piera Rodriguez - Women's Strawweight
Winner: Ariane Carnelossi (Brazil) via Disqualification (Illegal Headbutt) at 3:16 of Round 2
In a historic and controversial finish, Brazil's Ariane Carnelossi won via disqualification at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy after Venezuela's Piera Rodriguez was disqualified for repeated headbutts—the first headbutt disqualification in UFC history.
Rodriguez had started building momentum in the second round, hurting Carnelossi on the feet and chasing her to the canvas. Working from inside Carnelossi's guard, Rodriguez was warned by referee Mark Smith about leading with her head. Immediately after the warning, Rodriguez landed another blatant headbutt that opened a significant cut and broke Carnelossi's nose.
Unable to continue due to the injuries sustained, Carnelossi was declared the winner by disqualification at 3:16 of round two. Post-fight medical scans shared by Carnelossi's team showed a broken nose and other facial injuries caused by the illegal strikes.
The disqualification was particularly significant as it marked the first time in UFC history a fighter had been disqualified specifically for headbutting their opponent. Rodriguez, who had appeared to be turning the tide of the fight before the foul, saw potential victory snatched away by her repeated illegal technique.
For Carnelossi, the victory improved her record, though the manner of winning was far from ideal. The Brazilian suffered legitimate injuries that required medical attention despite getting her hand raised.
Heili Alateng vs Kleydson Rodrigues - Bantamweight
Winner: Heili Alateng (China) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Chinese bantamweight Heili Alateng secured a unanimous decision victory over Brazil's Kleydson Rodrigues at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy in a grappling-heavy contest. The fight marked Alateng's seventh decision victory in eight UFC bouts, cementing his reputation as a fighter who "likes taking his sweet time" to secure wins.
Alateng controlled the majority of the opening round from top position after catching a kick and sweeping Rodrigues to the canvas. The Chinese fighter maintained control for the remainder of the round, establishing a pattern that would continue throughout the fight.
In both the second and third rounds, Rodrigues found early success with his striking, attacking Alateng's lead leg with sharp kicks and utilizing his speed advantage. However, Alateng repeatedly took the Brazilian down and pinned him to the canvas through the end of each round, negating Rodrigues's striking advantages.
All three judges scored the bout for Alateng, with two judges giving him all three rounds (30-27) and one judge awarding Rodrigues a single round (29-28). The victory demonstrated Alateng's reliable, if unexciting, approach of using superior wrestling to grind out decision wins.
Since joining the UFC roster in 2019, Alateng has consistently taken fights the distance, proving himself a difficult matchup for strikers who cannot defend his takedowns.
Vanessa Demopoulos vs Emily Ducote - Women's Strawweight
Winner: Vanessa Demopoulos (United States) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
In a high-volume striking battle, Americans Vanessa Demopoulos and Emily Ducote combined for 252 significant strikes landed over three rounds—the sixth-highest total in UFC strawweight history. When the scorecards were read, Demopoulos emerged victorious via split decision.
The fight was competitive from start to finish, with both women demonstrating excellent conditioning and willingness to engage in prolonged exchanges. Demopoulos, typically known for her grappling, showed improved striking while mixing in her submission threats. Ducote, entering as the favorite at -340, was unable to pull away despite landing high volumes.
The judges split on the outcome, with two scoring it 29-28 for Demopoulos and one judge favoring Ducote 28-29. The close nature of the contest and high strike totals made it difficult to score definitively, but Demopoulos's hand was ultimately raised.
The victory at Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy was important for Demopoulos, who sits on the edge of the strawweight top 15 and needed a win to continue her climb up the rankings. For Ducote, the narrow defeat was frustrating given her status as a significant betting favorite.
Notable Moments and Controversies
First Headbutt DQ in UFC History: Piera Rodriguez's disqualification for repeated headbutts against Ariane Carnelossi marked a historic first for the promotion. The controversial finish sparked discussions about whether the headbutts were intentional and the severity of punishment for such fouls.
Breast Punch Stoppage Controversy: Melissa Gatto's TKO victory over Tamires Vidal via punch to the breast raised significant concerns within women's MMA. Multiple fighters and analysts called for mandatory breast protection similar to groin protection for male fighters, arguing that such shots can cause serious injury and should not be a legitimate path to victory.
Murphy's American Debut: Lerone Murphy had never competed in the United States before his main event appearance, making his dominant performance over a ranked veteran all the more impressive. The Manchester native's first fight on American soil immediately elevated him into title contention discussions.
Hill Makes History: Angela Hill's submission victory over Luana Pinheiro was significant not just for being her first career submission, but also for breaking the all-time UFC strawweight wins record. At 39 years old, Hill continues to defy expectations and add to her legendary career.
Gorimbo's Emotional Victory: Themba Gorimbo's unanimous decision win over Ramiz Brahimaj carried extra emotional weight after his coach's mother passed away during fight week. The Zimbabwe native's dedication to winning in her honor added a touching human element to the card.
Performance Bonuses
The UFC awarded $50,000 bonuses to the following fighters:
Fight of the Night: Lerone Murphy vs Edson Barboza
Performance of the Night: Khaos Williams (90-second KO of Carlston Harris)
Performance of the Night: Angela Hill (First career submission victory)
Fight Cancellations and Changes
The card underwent several changes in the weeks leading up to the event:
- Former flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott was scheduled to face Tatsuro Taira but withdrew due to an undisclosed injury. Taira was rescheduled to UFC 302.
- Hailey Cowan was scheduled to face Tamires Vidal (originally booked for March 2023) but withdrew due to a broken leg. Melissa Gatto replaced Cowan.
- Light heavyweight Oumar Sy was originally scheduled to face Rodolfo Bellato, who withdrew for unknown reasons. Antonio Trócoli was announced as a replacement, but was then replaced by promotional newcomer George "Tuco" Tokkos for undisclosed reasons.
Division Implications
Featherweight: Lerone Murphy's dominant victory over Edson Barboza will almost certainly earn him a spot in the rankings. With his undefeated record and six-fight winning streak, Murphy is positioned for a significant step up in competition. A ranked opponent in the #10-15 range seems likely for his next outing.
Welterweight: Khaos Williams reestablished himself as one of the division's most dangerous knockout artists. His 90-second destruction of Carlston Harris puts every welterweight on notice that Williams possesses elite one-punch power. Expect the UFC to match him against a ranked opponent to see if he can hang with the division's elite.
Women's Strawweight: Angela Hill's historic 11th UFC strawweight victory cements her legacy as the most successful female fighter at 115 pounds. At 39, she shows no signs of slowing down and will likely continue serving as a gatekeeper for prospects looking to crack the rankings.
Bantamweight: Adrian Yanez got back on track with his first-round stoppage, setting up a potential barn-burner against Daniel Santos if that fight comes to fruition. Both fighters possess knockout power and technical striking, making it an exciting stylistic matchup.
Looking Forward
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy successfully delivered entertainment, controversy, and history-making moments at the UFC APEX. The card featured strong pacing with multiple first-round finishes keeping fans engaged throughout the afternoon and evening.
Lerone Murphy emerged as the card's biggest winner, not just for his unanimous decision but for the dominant fashion in which he controlled every aspect of the fight against a dangerous veteran. His performance earned him immediate contender status and likely a spot in the rankings.
The card will be remembered for several firsts: Angela Hill's first career submission, the UFC's first headbutt disqualification, and Murphy's first fight in the United States. Additionally, the controversial breast punch stoppage sparked important conversations about fighter safety and equipment in women's MMA.
With Memorial Day weekend approaching, the UFC took the following weekend off, giving fans time to digest an action-packed card that showcased the depth of talent across multiple divisions. The event proved once again that even cards without major star power can deliver memorable moments when matchmakers pair hungry fighters looking to make statements.
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy will be remembered as the night Lerone Murphy announced his arrival, Angela Hill made history, and Khaos Williams reminded everyone why his nickname fits perfectly.
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