UFC will return to the UK with a superstar card tonight as Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall fight on home soil in Manchester.
‘Rocky’ Edwards will defend his welterweight title against former foe Belal Muhammad.
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Edwards and Muhamad took part in a fiery final face-offCredit: Getty
The duo first met in 2021, but the bout lasted just 18 seconds and was ruled a no-contest after Edwards committed an accidental eye poke.
Muhammad has since gone on a winning streak to become the No.2 ranked welterweight and now the long-awaited rematch can take place.
Meanwhile, Aspinall takes on Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event, which is also a rematch and will see him defend his interim heavyweight title.
The pair first’s clash in 2022 at the O2 Arena lasted even shorter than Edwards-Muhammad at 15 seconds after Aspinall suffered a career-threatening knee injury.
The Salford-born star has since battled back to become interim champion, with Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann also featured on a card stacked with British talent.
UFC 304: Date and start time
The event will take place on Saturday, July 27 at the Co-op Live in Manchester.
Despite being in the UK, the preliminary action won’t get going until 11pm, with the main event expected at around 3am on Sunday morning.
This is because that time is 10pm Eastern time in the USA, which is the traditional PPV time in the States and thus will maximise PPV sales.
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Edwards is the champion and will look to defend his beltCredit: Getty
UFC 304: How to follow
The action will be shown on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK.
The early prelims will be available on the UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sports 2. More details can be found here.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will be keeping you up to date with all the latest.
You can follow all the build-up on talkSPORT’s MMA YouTube channel.
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Aspinall is also defending his belt and will co-headline with EdwardsCredit: UFC
UFC 304: Undercard
Subject to change
Main card
MAIN EVENT: Leon Edwards (c) vs Belal Muhammad – for UFC Welterweight ChampionshipCo-main event: Tom Aspinall (ic) vs Curtis Blaydes – for UFC interim Heavyweight ChampionshipBobby Green vs. Paddy PimblettChristian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory RodriguesArnold Allen vs Giga Chikadze
Preliminary card
Nathaniel Wood vs Daniel PinedaMolly McCann vs Bruna BrasilCaolan Loughran vs Jake HadleyModestas Bukauskas vs Marcin Prachino
Early preliminary card
Oban Elliott vs Preston ParsonsMuhammad Mokaev vs Manel KapeSam Patterson vs Kieffer CrosbieMick Parkin vs Lukasz BrzeskiShauna Bannon vs Ravena Oliveira
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Pimblett is raring to go in front of what should be a supportive crowdCredit: Getty
UFC star Tom Aspinall surprises fan with spontaneous pad session and some free gym gear
UFC 304: What has been said?
Edwards is aiming to win this bout, defend his title and then move up to middleweight.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “I want to move up and challenge for a middleweight belt as well so whatever comes first.
“I feel like I’ve got the size [for the middleweight division] and the skill for it so why not chase greatness.”
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Aspinall’s first title run was ended by a knee injuryCredit: getty
Meanwhile, Aspinall is eyeing a bout against Alex Pereira.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “As an elite-level fighter myself, you can’t help but be impressed with what Alex Pereira has done over the last couple of years.
“This time a few years ago nobody knew who he was and now he is one of the biggest stars in MMA, one of the best fighters in UFC history, and I really respect what he has done.
“Does that mean I don’t want to fight him? No, I absolutely want to fight him.
“I’m sure there will be a time and place for it. I’m not jumping ahead of things right now.
“I’m fighting Curtis Blaydes now and if that’s what the UFC wants to do one day then we will absolutely do it.”
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Edwards will finally settle his feud with Muhammad this summerCredit: Getty
However, with Pimblett’s UFC contract up, this could be the last time we see him competing in MMA’s biggest brand.
Speaking about it recently, he said: “This is the last fight on my contract.
“I haven’t got a clue [about contract negotiations with the UFC], my manager sorts all of that. I leave all of that to him, I don’t think [there’s been a renewal proposal].
“I wouldn’t want to go to a different organisation, lad. The UFC is the cream of the crop.
“You never know, though. Some of these stupid YouTubers that are boxing could end up offering me millions to fight one of them. So we’ll see what happens.”
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