For undefeated fighters, it was a big weekend. First, Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) became the undisputed heavyweight champion, defeating previously unbeaten fighter Tyson Fury (34-1-1) by split decision. There was also Lerone Murphy (14-0-1), who headed into the main event at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy, looking for a big victory.
He got it in a big way, defeating the Brazilian fighter via decision. Granted, victories by decision aren’t always the prettiest. However, when you’re a fighter searching for a huge win, it’s best to take what you can.
That’s especially true for the Manchester fighter, who’s battled talks of an easy slate of fighters. With Edson Barboza (24-12) defeated, Murphy can now look ahead to bigger and better things, including a potential pathway to the UFC Featherweight Championship.
Lerone Murphy Was In Control
It wasn’t easy for Lerone Murphy to get to this point. He’s dealt with numerous issues from his past, which included being shot by a gunman as he came out of a barbershop. Still, it led to the main event on Saturday against Edson Barboza, where he took control of the fight.
How so? With 220 significant strikes throughout the fight. He wore the Brazilian MMA fighter down with his striking prowess, landing blow after blow. The Manchester native also took control of the fight in time, with 5:19 of control time compared to a mere 17 seconds for Barboza.
By primarily focusing on the head, Murphy dominated Barboza throughout the fight. If he’s able to pinpoint his opponent’s weaknesses and take charge, the “Iceman” can become a tough fighter to face. That can also help him grow in the featherweight rankings, pushing the 32-year-old to new heights.
What’s Next?
Lerone Murphy stated his intent to fight in UFC 304. The card is set to take place in Manchester, England, which is Murphy’s hometown. There’s a good possibility he gets onto that card with his performance, especially when it comes to a convincing win in the main event. Could it be a top-10 showdown on the card? Stay tuned, for anything can happen.
As for right now, Murphy should enjoy the ranks of being unbeaten. It’s an exclusive club that houses the best fighters. Whether it’s Khabib Nurmagomedov or Rocky Marciano, the club is proof that fighters can be etched forever in immortality. For the Manchester native, it’s a good opportunity to build towards that goal.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
