Pimblett believes the Manchester card is the biggest and best card the UFC has ever put on in England, despite McGregor’s criticism.
UFC 304 is set to go down in Manchester, England on July 27th and while the card features two titles being defended by U.K. champions, Conor McGregor isn’t too impressed with the main event between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad.
“There’s too many decisions going on now with that Leon fella,” McGregor said back in May during a DuelBits Q&A. “Leon Edwards loves a decision. Then he’s fighting another decision guy, your man Belal. Not great times in the welterweight title picture.”
Mac is the king of UFC PPV sales, and he sees UFC 304 performing poorly (but still better than Diaz vs. Masvidal).
“200,000 buys probably, not even. Maybe 150,000 buys, if it’s even a pay-per-view. It’s probably not even a pay-per-view.”
Conor McGregor talks a potential fight with Leon Edwards, and says the titles that excite him are the 170 belt and the BMF belt.
“Leon Edwards, Nate Diaz almost knocked him out, had him out on his feet… also Cerrone went the distance with him…
The lightweight world title…… pic.twitter.com/62MkvlvbyI
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 20, 2024
In a new interview with Best Online Poker Sites, Paddy Pimblett came to the defense of UFC 304, which features his return against Bobby Green on the main card.
“To be honest, that’s a mad shout from Conor,” Pimblett said. “I think it’s the best card that the UFC have put on in the UK, ever.”
“You’ve got a welterweight title fight, rematch, Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad. People want to see that rematch because Belal’s been on a win streak lately. Obviously the Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes rematch, the first time they fought Tom’s knee exploded in like 20 seconds. Everyone wants to see that fight again.”
“Me vs. Bobby Green, that could be a main event of a Fight Night card,” he continued. “Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze is going to be a great fight as well, so I don’t know what he’s on about there. That’s a mad one, and I really like Conor.”
To be fair, most of the smack from McGregor was aimed at Leon Edwards, who holds the third belt Mac hopes to claim someday soon. UFC 304 was just caught in the crossfire as Conor panned “Rocky’s” ability to sell. He wasn’t all negative about the card.
“I think Curtis [Blaydes] and Tom [Aspinall] is a good fight,” he said.
Now all U.K. fans have to do is manage to stay up late enough to watch it.