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UFC 304 goes down this Saturday in Manchester, England, and it looks like one of the best cards of the year so far on paper. The card will be headlined by a…
UFC 304 goes down this Saturday in Manchester, England, and it looks like one of the best cards of the year so far on paper. The card will be headlined by a…
UFC commentator Laura Sanko recently assured that the postponed start time for UFC 304 would have minimal impact on both the fighters and the fans in the United Kingdom. The eighth numbered UFC pay-per-view event of 2024 is just around the corner, set to unfold this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The […]
Continue Reading UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans at MMA News.
UFC commentator Laura Sanko recently assured that the postponed start time for UFC 304 would have minimal impact on both the fighters and the fans in the United Kingdom.
The eighth numbered UFC pay-per-view event of 2024 is just around the corner, set to unfold this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The card will feature two headline title fights, both of which are eagerly anticipated rematches.
In the main event, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will defend his title against Belal Muhammad. Meanwhile, the co-main event will see interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall clash with Curtis Blaydes.
We’re BACK in Manchester THIS Saturday! #UFC304 will be fireworks!
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 22, 2024
Since the announcement of the UFC 304 schedule, a storm of controversy and fan uproar has erupted over the decision to start the fight card at typical United States times, even though the event is taking place in the United Kingdom.
The event broadcast is set to begin at 11 PM BST on Saturday, July 27. Consequently, the headlining fighters are expected to make their Octagon walkouts between 5:00 and 5:15 AM the following morning. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the fight card will kick off at approximately 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT on Saturday afternoon, with the main card slated to start around 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.
However, UFC’s first female color commentator believes that the late-night and early-morning schedule will neither hinder the fighters nor deter the viewers…
During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Sanko, who will be fulfilling her role as a desk analyst for UFC 304, offered her insights on the pay-per-view broadcast schedule. She acknowledged that while the schedule is less than ideal for the fans, it ultimately won’t matter much on fight night, given the high anticipation surrounding the card.
“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 said. “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.”
The UFC broadcaster further noted that the last PPV event in Manchester, UFC 204 in October 2016, also followed a similar schedule. She emphasized that the real challenge for fighters lies in preparing for the late-night bouts rather than the timing of the event itself.
“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.
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.”
Both Aspinall and Blaydes have voiced their grievances about the absurd fight timings, but the MMA promotion remains steadfast in its decision. Meanwhile, “Rocky” has reportedly gone so far as to hire a sleep specialist to help him adjust to the unconventional schedule.
Continue Reading UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans at MMA News.
Sharing the stage today at the Co-op Live Arena ahead of a massive welterweight title fight rematch with Belal…
Sharing the stage today at the Co-op Live Arena ahead of a massive welterweight title fight rematch with Belal Muhammad this weekend at UFC 304, incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards failed in a bid to psych out the challenger, lunging at him before being restrained by security officials.
Edwards, the incumbent undisputed welterweight champion, headlines this weekend’s UFC 304 card against the above-mentioned Illinois contender, Muhammad, in a bid to rack up his third consecutive successful title defense.
First fighting back in 2020 in the pair’s high-stakes main event bout at the UFC Apex facility, Edwards landed multiple eye pokes en route to an eventual second round stoppage against Muhammad – resulting in an official ‘No Contest’.
And sharing the stage this weekend ahead of their UFC 304 title fight re-run in Manchester, Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad – who shared a tense encounter inside an elevator in the ‘Rainy City’ earlier this week,
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON THIS
[ SAT on @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET/7pmPT | #UFC304 ] pic.twitter.com/gOG5Z5TQBB
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2024
Accusing Muhammad of becoming too reactive and emotionally invested in their title rematch this weekend, Edwards would be unconscious within just three rounds in Manchester according to the title challenger – who urged the crowd to wake him up with their chanting once he knocks him out.
Sharing the stage with UFC CEO, Dana White for a tense face-off – Muhammad imitated Edwards’ infamous ‘headshot dead’ taunt, before the latter lunged at the title challenger – to no avail in a bid to make him react, with security officials and UFC personnel immediately corralling the duo.
Hitting out at Edwards’ entourage on stage as the above-mentioned organizational leader, White attempted to play peacekeeper, Muhammad made his way off stage ahead of a massive, and now-bad-blooded title affair this weekend in the promotion’s return to the United Kingdom in a pay-per-view setting for the first time since 2016.
Who wins this weekend at UFC 304: Leon Edwards or Belal Muhammad?
According to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, any talk of a bitter feud heading into this weekend’s main event is entirely on the side of Belal Muhammad. Edwards is set to defend his title on home soil for the second time and third time overall since winning it from Kamaru Usman in dramatic fashion almost […]
Continue Reading Leon Edwards Insists There’s No Bad Blood With Belal Muhammad On His Side: ‘He’s Made Up Scenarios In His Head’ at MMA News.
According to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, any talk of a bitter feud heading into this weekend’s main event is entirely on the side of Belal Muhammad.
Edwards is set to defend his title on home soil for the second time and third time overall since winning it from Kamaru Usman in dramatic fashion almost two years ago in Salt Lake City.
Having gotten the better of Usman in their trilogy fight in London last year and stalled Colby Covington’s ambitions in Las Vegas nine months later, “Rocky” will now put his gold on the line in the city of Manchester.
He’s set to headline the UFC 304 pay-per-view opposite a familiar foe in Muhammad, whom he previously faced back in 2021. Ever since that bout ended in a no contest, they’ve appeared to have a distinct dislike for one another.
But although “Remember the Name” continues to admit as much, Edwards insists Muhammad is just another opponent…
During a fight week interview with Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Edwards looked ahead to his second dance in the cage with Muhammad.
Both men have exchanged verbal jabs in the lead-up to UFC 304, but when it comes to actual bad blood and disdain, the champ claims it is entirely a one-way street.
“I’m not overlooking him one bit. He has gone out there and put the work in. … You have to take him serious. I just truly believe I am the best fighter,” Edwards said. “I believe that I am better than him on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, (Thursday), Friday; it doesn’t matter. I am the better fighter.
“I’ll go out Saturday night and prove that. That’s all it is. There’s no bad blood between us, there’s nothing else,” Edwards continued. “For him, he’s making up some scenario in his head where he hates me and blah, blah, blah. But, for me, he’s just another guy that’s in my way of this goal I’m trying to achieve in my life…that’s it.”
While he may not be motivated by the same level of hatred as his challenger is, Edwards no doubt has plenty to fight for.
In addition to keeping the welterweight gold in his possession and moving closer to Georges St-Pierre’s record for title defenses in the division, a victory would further boost “Rocky’s” chances of securing a shot at the middleweight belt down the line.
Too close for comfort
An unexpected staredown before #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/R1PvABnFmg
— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2024
Continue Reading Leon Edwards Insists There’s No Bad Blood With Belal Muhammad On His Side: ‘He’s Made Up Scenarios In His Head’ at MMA News.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes Belal Muhammad will have a lot of struggles against Leon Edwards at…
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes Belal Muhammad will have a lot of struggles against Leon Edwards at UFC 304.
Muhammad is set to challenge for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 304 against Edwards. It’s an intriguing matchup and heading into the fight, Muhammad has oozed with confidence that he will be able to dominate the Brit to win the title.
However, Whittaker thinks Edwards will be too good for Muhammad and should cruise to a win, as he expects the champ to pick apart Muhammad.
“I can see like two possibilities,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast (via MMANews). “The first one, Leon Edwards, just being too good. I think the caliber of fights Leon Edwards has had is different from Belal Muhammad’s. Fighting Usman twice is huge, especially when he fought him the first time; that was good. Fighting Colby, like Colby, is a nightmare for everyone, and he was just able to shut him down so well with spectacular spacing. It’s very hard to find a hole, especially, you know, if we compare it to when he fought Nate Diaz, right? And we saw that hole get exposed in the later round or fights before that.”
“I feel like he’s tightened up to a whole new degree, further than he was then, and especially in that last fight, I was so super impressed with just how clean he was. There wasn’t really anything to pick apart; there weren’t any holes or glaring weaknesses to exploit for Colby.”
A key part of Belal Muhammad’s game is his cardio and his ability to push the pace. However, against Leon Edwards, Robert Whittaker thinks Muhammad will struggle to push the pace against Edwards.
“I find that sort of fight going to be hard for Belal Muhammad, who, you know, is not spectacular in any one field. He’s kind of just really high level at all of them, in my opinion. He’s amazing at everything, but I feel like his greatest strength is that he’s well-rounded. He can take the fight in any direction to get the win. But I think he’s going to have trouble trying to push that sort of game plan on Leon Edwards,” Whittaker said.
With Whittaker thinking Muhammad will struggle to push the pace, he believes that will lead to Edwards getting the win to remain the welterweight champ.
Incoming welterweight title challenger, Belal Muhammad has vowed to “torture” incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards in their championship rematch…
Incoming welterweight title challenger, Belal Muhammad has vowed to “torture” incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards in their championship rematch at UFC 304 this weekend.
Muhammad, the current number two ranked welterweight challenger, returns this weekend in a championship setting for the first time in his Octagon tenure, matching with Birmingham favorite, Edwards for the second time.
In their first matchup, Muhammad was hit with multiple illegal eye pokes from Edwards, resulting in an eventual second round official ‘No Contest’.
Unbeaten in his last 10 straight fights, however, Illinois native, Muhammad has played down the ability of Team Renegade BJJ & MMA staple, Edwards – particularly his cardio tank, and vowed to “torture” the defending champion when they share the Octagon in the early hours of Sunday morning at UFC 304.
“I want to torture him (Leon Edwards),” Belal Muhammad told assembled media during his UFC 304 media day availability. “I want him to realize how much better I am than him. When you go out there and get a finish, people are like, ‘Oh, you got lucky. It happened because of that.’”
“I go out there and dominate him and beath in all aspects of MMA,” Belal Muhammad explained. “Wrestling, grappling, striking, Jiu-Jitsu, get him to the point of making him want to quit. I want to torture him. I want him to get to the point of looking at his coaches and his coaches have nothing to say and they walk away because they’re embarrassed.”
In his most recent outing, Muhammad landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title challenger, Gilbert Burns in the short-notice co-main event of UFC 288 early last year over the course of five rounds to earn his premiere championship charge.
Who do you think wins at UFC 304: Leon Edwards or Belal Muhammad?
