UFC 304 fight card, running order and UK times including Paddy Pimblett
Leon Edwards is the main attraction tonight as UFC 304 showcases the best of British in Manchester.
The Birmingham welterweight will defend his world title against Belal Muhammad in a fight two years in the making since the rivals' first meeting ended prematurely in the second round when Muhammad was accidentally poked in the eye. Edwards went on to win his belt from Kamaru Usman while Muhammad has established himself as the obvious contender to the throne.
Elsewhere on a packed main card, Tom Aspinall defends his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes in another fight which has unfinished business with their first bout two years ago ending in the opening round when Aspinall injured his knee. Crowd favourites Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are also in action as they look to edge closer to title shots. Here is everything you need to know about tonight''s fights...
Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad - 5.15am
Having stunned champion Kamaru Usman in the dying seconds of their first fight with an incredible head-kick, Edwards went on to beat the former champion in their rematch before edging out the brash Colby Covington last year. The champion has established himself as the one to beat since his first meeting with Muhammad but will feel there is still an itch to scratch given the way their first showdown ended.
Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes - 4.30am
Aspinall is the best heavyweight in the UFC not named Jon Jones having knocked out the avoided Sergei Pavlovich in New York last November. Aspinall is desperate to fight Jones but will have to settle for a sequel with Blaydes until Jones takes on Stipe Miocic later this year. Blaydes has a win over Aspinall to his name following their aborted fight in 2022 but has the chance to prove he is the best of the rest in Manchester.
King Green vs Paddy Pimblett - 4am
Pimblett thought he had signed to fight Bobby Green before the American dramatically legally changed his name weeks before their Manchester meeting. Pimblett is fighting for the first time since last December when he outpointed UFC legend Tony Ferguson in his first bout since his controversial win over Jared Gordon. Many onlookers felt Pimblett lost that night and he will be under the microscope again tonight when he faces Green who has won three of his last four.
Muhammad Mokaev vs Manel Kape 3.30am
Unbeaten Mokaev still dreams of becoming the youngest UFC champion ever and can take another step towards a title shot with victory over Manel Kape tonight. Mokaev has won his six fights in the UFC since making his debut in 2022 and will be hoping for another finish in front of his home fans. Kape is also on a winning streak having won his last four bouts.
Arnold Allen vs Giga Chikadze - 3am
Allen is without a win for almost two years following back-to-back defeats by Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev. Allen had been closing in on a title shot after beating Calvin Kattar when the American injured his knee in the second round of their 2022 meeting. But defeat by Holloway put paid to those ambitions for the time being and he faces another tough task tonight in Chikadze who has lost just one fight since 2018.
Nathaniel Wood vs Daniel Pineda - 2.15am
Molly McCann vs Bruna Brasil - 1.45am
Mick Parkin vs Lukasz Brzeski - 1.15am
Oban Elliott vs Preston Parsons - 12.45am
Sam Patterson vs Kiefer Crosbie - 12.15am
Christian Leroy Duncan vs Gregory Rodrigues - 11.45am
Modestas Bukauskas vs Marcin Prachnio -11.15am
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