At long last, the much-awaited card for UFC 304 has been announced and fans couldn’t be more delighted. Owing to a rise of English talent across all divisions, the promotion has set its sights on a return to Manchester. As such, let’s unpack everything that awaits the fans at this awesome event.
Recently, UFC CEO and President Dana White announced that the promotion is headed to Manchester. For only the seventh time in the promotion’s history, we will witness a PPV event in England. As such, UFC 304 is set to be the first sporting event announced for the Co-op Live Arena, the UK’s largest indoor arena, where we will have two English champions defending their title.
MANCHESTER, ARE YOU READY?! 🚨#UFC304 https://t.co/YtGKVEEpt0
— UFC (@ufc) May 16, 2024
Naturally, UFC 304 will see the return of Leon Edwards as the headliner. Previously, the Englishman made his first title defense against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 at the O2 Arena, in London. Alongside him, we will see the heavyweight sensation Tom Aspinall in his first fight since claiming the interim title at UFC 295 last year. Not only that but there is a whole host of more exciting fights as well, making it the best PPV event in the UK so far.
All the announced fights for UFC 304 so far
For the most part, it has been quite some time since England has had a champion to call its own. Since Michael Bisping’s reign as the middleweight champion, the British have had to bide their time for one of their own to once again clinch a UFC title. In the meantime, the country has seemingly become a hotbed of top talent, most of whom will be putting on a show at UFC 304 on July 27, 2024.
Whilst Leon Edwards defends his welterweight crown against the undeniable Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall will put the interim heavyweight belt on the line against #4 ranked contender Curtis Blaydes. That said, the UFC 304 card will also see Paddy Pimblett take on #15 ranked lightweight Bobby Green, whilst #6 ranked featherweight Arnold Allen faces #9 Giga Chikadze and #6 ranked flyweight Muhammad Mokaev takes on #7 Manel Kape.
Also officially announced for UFC 304:
Bobby Green x Paddy Pimblett
Muhammad Mokaev x Manel Kape
Arnold Allen x Giga ChikadzeThose are 5 really good fights for Manchester, so far.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 16, 2024
That said, it is expected that more top talents will soon be added to the undercard of what is shaping up to be a truly impressive PPV card. All things considered, seeing how stacked the card is, those attending the UFC 304 event in person may not mind the fact that the prelims will begin at 11 p.m. BST (6 p.m. ET in the U.S.), whilst the main card airs at 3 a.m. BST (10 p.m. ET in the U.S).
Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall will defend their titles in rematches at UFC 304
For those unaware, both the UFC 304 main and the co-main events will see titles on the line. Not only that but both fights are rematches of fights that ended prematurely at the first time of asking. That said, there has been a lot of buildup to either contest, and seeing them finally materialize once again, the fans can finally expect the definitive outcome out of both of them.
As for the main event, Leon Edwards faces Belal Muhammad who is on a 10-fight unbeaten streak, with the only blemish coming against Edwards in a no-contest back in 2021. Having stepped in on short notice, Muhammad was left unable to continue, owing to an accidental eye poke. Since then, the surging contender has been a man on a mission, finally seeing his hard work pay dividends.
It’s Official! Your #UFC304 main and co-main is signed for Manchester! 🇬🇧
🏆 Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad
🏆 Tom Aspinall vs Curtis BlaydesDon’t miss out on tickets🎟️ https://t.co/t00xSyzYYp pic.twitter.com/vjTzgit94X
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 16, 2024
On the other hand, Tom Aspinall will face Curtis Blaydes after a freak injury to the Englishman saw the fight called off within the very first round. Having recovered and made the most of 2023, Aspinall managed to claim the interim heavyweight title which was up for grabs at UFC 295. Thus, the rematch will not only solidify the winner’s place at the top of the division but make him undeniable when the champion eventually returns.