UFC Fight Night 241: Barboza vs. Murphy UFC Betting Preview

The UFC is having a massive year, with the success of UFC 300 being followed up by massive cards at UFC 302 and UFC 303. However, this weekend we’ve got a less-heralded card that still promises to bring the pain and the excitement at the UFC Apex for UFC Fight Night 241 on May 18. Headlining the event will be a featherweight battle between No. 12, though the unranked Lerone Murphy is the one coming in as the favorite according to most Ontario sportsbooks.

UFC Fight Night 241: Edson Barboza vs. Lerone Murphy Betting Odds

All odds provided by Betway.

No. 12 Edson Barboza vs. Leron Murphy Featherweight Bout Odds

UFC legend Edson Barboza (24-11), who is now 38, is coming into this one on a two-fight winning streak after earning an impressive comeback win against the ripped Sodiq Yusuff last October. Yusuff rocked Barboza early in that one, but the grizzled veteran was able to keep his head and ended up piecing up his opponent over the final 20 minutes.

Barboza’s experience in a five-rounder like that will serve him in good stead against the undefeated Lerone Murphy (13-0-1), who has never headlined a card before. Murphy has yet to lose, but he also yet to impress in the UFC, as he’s had a couple of split decisions and questionable decision wins. He hasn’t dominated against much weaker strikers than Barboza, which is worrisome here.

All in all, Murphy has not shown enough to warrant these favorite odds, the guys he has beat have not been top quality like the type of guys Barboza is used to meeting in the octagon. Oddsmakers doubted Barboza against Yusuff and he won, and we think he’ll do the same here at +120 odds.

Khaos Williams vs. Carlston Harris Welterweight Bout Odds

Two up-and-comers in the welterweight division meet in the co-main event at the UFC Apex. Khaos Williams (14-3) is coming in off a split decision win last May, while Carlston Harris (19-5) enters the octagon on a two-fight winning streak, the most recent of which was last August when he earned a technical submission via anaconda choke.

Both of these guys can box, but the 30-year-old Williams is much more energetic and dangerous than the 36-year-old Harris at this point in his MMA career. Harris has a chance here if he can get Khaos to the ground, but that seems a little bit unlikely considering his impressive 80 percent takedown defense during his time in the UFC.

Williams is not a world-beater by any means, but he’s on the way up while Harris on the way down. Harris is a more technically sound striker, but he doesn’t have much power left in his mitts, and if tries to stand and trade with Williams early, he’s not going to like the results.

The youngster’s -125 moneyline odds are already solid, but when you consider his power and the fact that Harris has been knocked out in his last two losses, Williams’ +125 odds to win by KO/TKO look a lot more enticing.

Themba Gorimbo vs. Ramiz Brahimaj Welterweight Bout Odds

In the third fight of the main card, Themba Gorimbo (12-4) will square off with Ramiz Brahimaj (10-4) in a battle of grapplers. Brahimaj has taken all 10 of his fights by submission, so we know where he wants to fight, but Gorimbo actually put his most recent opponent, Pete Rodriguez, out with an overhand right followed by ground and pound.

Brahimaj is a submission expert, but he can really struggle if he can’t get his man to the ground. Gorimbo, on the other hand, is elite on the ground and serviceable on the feet, which means his team was likely working hard on his stand up during this training camp.

We like Gorimbo to take this one, not only because of his more well-rounded fighting abilities, but also because Brahimaj has alternated wins and losses for eight straight fights, and he won his last one, which means he’s due for a loss here.