UFC commentator Laura Sanko has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the start time for UFC 304, which is set to take place this weekend.
The event, taking place in Manchester, England, is highly anticipated, featuring two major title fights. However, there’s a notable issue with the timing: although the event is held in the UK, it will air in the US during prime time. This means the main card won’t kick off until 3am in Manchester, creating an unusual situation for fighters, particularly those from Europe.
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Laura Sanko shared her perspective on the matter.
Laura Sanko Addresses UK UFC 304 Start Time
“It’s unfortunate for the fans, but I think when that day comes, it’s not gonna matter for the fans or for the athletes,” Sanko commented. “I think the energy is going to be so off-the-charts it’s not going to matter if you’re a fan and trust me; you’re going to be able to soldier through because the action from these fights is going to be enough to keep you going, hopefully.”
She offered a piece of advice for fans attending the event:
“Here’s my one tip: just don’t start drinking too early. That’s going to be the downfall of at least a certain proportion of this fan base. But I think for the fighters, you know, Leon Edwards actually had this exact same situation when he fought on Michael Bisping’s card, where he had his huge win over Dan Henderson in Manchester. So he’s familiar with it, and he said the same thing.”
Sanko recalled Edwards’ experience with a similar situation: “He said, ‘Listen, it didn’t matter. The moment I walked out to that arena, it could have been 2 o’clock in the afternoon, it could have been 2 o’clock in the morning, I wouldn’t have known the difference. I was headed into a fight.’ So I think it sucks probably more in the lead-up, the preparation, stressing about it, stressing about how it might affect you. But I think when the time comes, these guys are just going to do their job.”
Sanko’s insights highlight that while the timing issue is less than ideal, the excitement and energy of the event will likely overshadow any concerns. For both fans and fighters, the focus will ultimately shift to the thrilling action inside the Octagon.
