Dana White has confirmed that his promotion will return to the UK on the 27th of July with a pay-per-view event in UFC 304, set to be staged at the Co-op Live arena, Manchester.
The UFC Returns to Manchester After Almost Eight Years
The UK has been deprived of many UFC events since the promotion was formed. However, with two current British champions residing in Birmingham and Manchester, the north has something to look forward to in the UK’s seventh ever pay-per-view event.
Although no bouts have been made official yet, Leon Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell, told talkSPORT MMA that his fighter is destined to be on UFC 304.
Lovell said: “The UFC is over here in July, so no doubt Leon will be on that bill. I think it will be Belal (Muhammad) next. It’s not written in stone, but 99.9 percent (of me) thinks it will be Belal.
“Leon is looking forward to the July bill, he starts his camp next week, for a 12-week camp and we are sharpening up our tools to deal with Mr. Belal.”
Controversy Over The Start Time Of UFC 304
Britain cannot wait for the promotion to hit Manchester, but the excitement has halted briefly as fans of the host country question UFC 304’s early start time.
MMA broadcaster, Adam Catterall, revealed on X that prelims will commence from 11pm, while the main card is scheduled to kick off at 3am.
British fans are no stranger to these times, as the majority of pay-per-view events staged in the USA have similar time stamps. Yet, many have been left shocked as to why the primetime of the hosts has been overlooked, and the American audience has been favoured once more.
Despite the dubious timing, the UK’s 28th pay-per-view event could treat home fans to two championship bouts on the night involving Tom Aspinall and Edwards.
So there is something to look forward to after all.
