UFC 304 goes down this weekend (Sat., July 27, 2024) from inside Co-op Live in Manchester, England, and is headlined by two big title fights. UFC Welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, defends his title for the third time as he takes on No. 2-ranked Belal Muhammad. In the pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event, interim Heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, defends against Curtis Blaydes.
Buried on the “Prelims” is a clear No. 1 contender fight for the next Flyweight title as No. 6-seeded Muhammad Mokaev takes on No. 8-ranked Manel Kape. As of last week, Mokaev vs. Kape was scheduled to take place on UFC 304’s PPV main card; however, the pivotal 125-pound clash was demoted earlier this week.
And it might be because of this … or this.
“I think they don’t like my style.”@muhammadmokaev on his fight with Manel Kape getting moved from the main card to the early prelims of #UFC304
Source: MMA Today w/@DinThomas & @AlanJouban pic.twitter.com/gkGtriuAue
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) July 23, 2024
“I think they don’t like my style,” Mokaev told MMA on SiriusXM. “But, that’s why I have something I have to prove this fight. I need to show everything. Sometimes, I try to play safe, but it looks boring to the casual [fan]. I’m undefeated and I’ve won by unanimous decision against all the prime guys in the UFC.
“They have to understand this,” he finished.
In the same interview, Mokaev revealed that he is on the last fight of his UFC contract and hopes to renegotiate after UFC 304.
He’s not doing himself any favors.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 304 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET), before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 304: “Edwards vs. Belal 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.