Dana White makes HUGE announcements for UFC 304, with Leon Edwards headlining against Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall in co-main event and Paddy Pimblett’s biggest test yet on Manchester card
- The UFC will return to Manchester in July for a huge PPV event at the Co-Op Live Arena
- The organization has not booked an event in the north of England since 2016
- However, UK fans will still have to contend with a brutal 3am start for the main card.
Leon Edwards’ fight against Belal Muhammad will headline UFC 304, which takes place at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on July 27.
Edwards, who is looking to defend his welterweight title for the second time, will put his belt on the line against the fighter who has not tasted defeat in his last 10 fights.
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will face Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event. It will be a rematch from two years ago, when the British fighter injured his knee.
Fight fans across the country were sent into a frenzy after the UFC confirmed last month they would be making their highly anticipated return to Manchester.
The organization has revealed it has booked its first pay-per-view event in the north of England since 2016.
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will look to defend his crown against Belal Muhammad
Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (pictured) will face Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event
The huge card will be the first sporting event to take place at the £365 million Co-op Live Arena, the UK’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
However, despite the excitement of a UFC return to England, fans will have to contend with a late night – with the main card set to begin at 3am BST.
This will give American fans the opportunity to also attend the numbered event in Manchester, with preliminary fights scheduled to begin at 11pm BST.
In another eye-catching duel, American Bobby Green has been confirmed as Paddy Pimblett’s next opponent, in what will be the Liverpool native’s toughest test.
Green called out the 29-year-old after beating Jim Miller at UFC 300 in Las Vegas last month.
“Paddy, how dare you, you slimy, sugary little snake, how dare you say my name? ” He said. “I’m coming after you. July, I’m coming to your garden, with your people, to kick your ass.’
Elsewhere, Muhammad Mokaev v Manel Kape promises to be a grudge match, while Ipswich-born Arnold Allen takes on Giga Chikadze.
The UFC has only held two numbered events in the UK, with its most recent outing – UFC 286 – taking place in March 2023.
Co-op Live Arena to host its first live sporting event when UFC visits this summer
The last time the UFC visited Manchester was for UFC 204 in 2016, where Michael Bisping defended his middleweight title against Dan Henderson.
Like the upcoming event, the evening’s main card kicked off at 3am. Despite this, the event was sold out within minutes.
