UFC 304 was held in Manchester, England on 27th July, 2024 bringing an incredible night of fights to the UK. Featuring some of the biggest names in the sport in title defenses and emphatic rivalries, UFC 304 at Co-op Live in Manchester is the largest indoor arena in the UK. Here’s how things went down, covering all the action in an easy-to-read format.
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2: A Thrilling Rematch
This bout was the headliner of UFC 304, a highly anticipated rematch between the welterweight champion Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad. Their first bout ended abruptly in a fluke accidental eye poke, and now everyone was waiting for this moment.
Both fighters were prepared for this rematch, but Edwards proved that his striking and technical skills would shine in this combat. He just grappled a bit too well, thanks to some good defense and constantly quickened up-to-the-nose counters, always creeping onto Muhammad. While Belal Muhammad fought tirelessly to try to pressure Edwards with wrestling, that was not enough to take the champion’s belt off his back. Leon Edwards defended his title with a unanimous decision after five rounds. That sealed his position among the world’s elite fighters.
Tom Aspinall’s Homecoming Victory
Tom Aspinall of Manchester was the interim heavyweight champion and one of the UK fan favorites. He defended his title, as he captured it via first-round knockout against Sergei Pavlovich in UFC on ESPN 50 in 2023.
Within this outing, Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes, who is incredibly skilled and deadly. Blaydes is considered one of the greatest wrestlers and knockout machines in the world, but Aspinall was the better prepared man for the bout. Over the home-town crowd, Aspinall dominated the fight via the speed of his feet and the sharpness of his strikes. The bout ended with a knockout at the hands of Aspinall in round two, sending Manchester fans into overdrive.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Bobby Green: A Showstopper
Paddy Pimblett was all over the scintillating show, the charismatic and dynamic character of Liverpool, in a lightweight affair against the gunslinger Bobby Green at UFC 304. Being one of the rising stars of the UFC stable, this fight really didn’t do much to diminish this reputation, either.
Green came into the fight with a hoard of experience while Pimblett’s endless energy combined with the passion from the crowd gave him the edge. Pimblett forced a submission victory in the first round, added a new win to his strong list of achievements and kept fans excited about what is next for him.
Arnold Allen’s Tough Fight
Another great performance to relate to was from Arnold Allen, who faced the final replacement Giga Chikadze in a featherweight match. Both fighters are strikers, so the bout should be an exciting one for spectators.
Allen, a home Brit, took the win over three rounds by outpointing the Georgian with his sharp boxing and slick movement. That made him a unanimous decision winner as the fight went to distance, putting him further forward in his line of becoming a top contender for the featherweight division.
Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil: McCann’s Tough Loss
The toughest night faced the most popular fighter of the UK, Molly McCann in UFC 304. She was fighting for victory over Bruna Brasil in the women’s strawweight bout to build another victory in her name. However, Brasil proved to be a tough opponent, using her striking along with movement to disorient Molly McCann completely from her focus.
It was over after three rounds of closely fought matches, and McCann had lost unanimously. This was somewhat a set back for her, but McCann’s performance does not make her out of sight of fans’ interest. There is no doubt that the lady would return to the ring stronger for her next fights.
The Rising Star: Muhammad Mokaev
Unbeaten flyweight Muhammad Mokaev, a local man from Manchester, had a lot to prove in front of his home fans. In many ways, this was an even more difficult assignment than he normally would take on for himself, as he faced a well-balanced operator who is hot right now in Manel Kape.
Mokaev was wildly aggressive on the canvas, as he was with Kape and received a three-round unanimous decision. This outcome extended Mokaev’s winning streak all the more, and he remains an up-and-coming star among the ranks of flyweights.
Undercard Highlights: New Faces and Thrilling Contests
The undercard of UFC 304 did not disappoint. Standouts among the men’s performances included Nathaniel Wood, Jake Hadley, and Modestas Bukauskas, each of whom earned their wins through resilient effort. With too much rising and established talent, UFC 304 has become one of the most unforgettable cards this year.
UFC 304 proved a phenomenal success event held in Manchester. The night was filled with both great fights and memorable moments for MMA fans in the UK and worldwide. It kick-started with Leon Edwards successfully defending the title. Then came Tom Aspinall triumphantly making it a homecoming victory night. With UFC 304, it clearly shows that British MMA has entered into the golden age, with this event being a perfect example, and as it’s doing that, the UK is fast becoming the main hub for UFC events. Fans of these battle-scarred experts are already keenly looking forward to what’s next for the UK’s top fighters within the Octagon.
The future seems bright enough for British MMA. From Edwards and Aspinall at the very top to more coming prospects like Pimblett and Mokaev, the current crop of aspiring fighters in the UK has got everything to go on and keep on producing big names in the sport.