Tag: UFC 304

Dana White confirms UFC 304 bonuses will rise to $100K

Dana White confirms UFC 304 bonuses will rise to $100KAhead of this weekend’s UFC 304 card in Manchester – upon request from lightweight veteran, King Green, promotional boss,…

Dana White confirms UFC 304 bonuses will rise to $100K

Ahead of this weekend’s UFC 304 card in Manchester – upon request from lightweight veteran, King Green, promotional boss, Dana White has confirmed that post-fight bonuses will be set to $100,000.

Landing the Octagon in Manchester this weekend for the first time since 2016, the promotion are set to field two separate championship fights throughout the main and co-main event at the Co-op Live Arena.

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Headlining the card; an undisputed welterweight championship fight between the incumbent, Leon Edwards, and surging challenger, Belal Muhammad – with the pair sharing the Octagon for the second time in their respective tenures.

And in the co-headliner, interim heavyweight titleholder, Tom Aspinall returns in a title fight defense against perennial divisional contender, Curtis Blaydes – attempting to become the first fighter since Brazilian veteran, Renan Barao to defend an interim crown. 

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Dana White raises UFC 304 bonuses to $100,000

Furthermore in another high-profile main card clash, the above-mentioned, Green takes on promotional star, Paddy Pimblett – in an attempt to hand the Liverpool native his first loss inside the Octagon.

king green

And it was the San Bernardino native who managed to successfully campaign for a rise in post-fight bonuses – urging the above-mentioned, Dana White to up the cheque to $100,000 – which he appeared to oblige to. 

However, jibing at fellow event headliner, Muhammad in response, Edwards urged the Illinois native to remain realistic about his chances of winning a bonus, claiming he was incapable of knocking out an opponent.

Eventually the two would square off on stage – with Muhammad mocking Edwards’ infamous headshot dead’ taunt, before the latter failed in his bid to make the former flinch – lunging in his direction before they were corralled.

Earlier this year, post-fight bonuses at UFC 300 in April were raised to a whopping $300,000 from promotional leader, White – to much fan and pundit praise alike. 

Who do you think wins a special Dana White bonus of $100,000 at UFC 304?

Dana White confirms UFC 304 bonuses will rise to $100K

Dana White confirms UFC 304 bonuses will rise to $100KAhead of this weekend’s UFC 304 card in Manchester – upon request from lightweight veteran, King Green, promotional boss,…

Dana White confirms UFC 304 bonuses will rise to $100K

Ahead of this weekend’s UFC 304 card in Manchester – upon request from lightweight veteran, King Green, promotional boss, Dana White has confirmed that post-fight bonuses will be set to $100,000.

Landing the Octagon in Manchester this weekend for the first time since 2016, the promotion are set to field two separate championship fights throughout the main and co-main event at the Co-op Live Arena.

17863109386 1

Headlining the card; an undisputed welterweight championship fight between the incumbent, Leon Edwards, and surging challenger, Belal Muhammad – with the pair sharing the Octagon for the second time in their respective tenures.

And in the co-headliner, interim heavyweight titleholder, Tom Aspinall returns in a title fight defense against perennial divisional contender, Curtis Blaydes – attempting to become the first fighter since Brazilian veteran, Renan Barao to defend an interim crown. 

35153147371

Dana White raises UFC 304 bonuses to $100,000

Furthermore in another high-profile main card clash, the above-mentioned, Green takes on promotional star, Paddy Pimblett – in an attempt to hand the Liverpool native his first loss inside the Octagon.

king green

And it was the San Bernardino native who managed to successfully campaign for a rise in post-fight bonuses – urging the above-mentioned, Dana White to up the cheque to $100,000 – which he appeared to oblige to. 

However, jibing at fellow event headliner, Muhammad in response, Edwards urged the Illinois native to remain realistic about his chances of winning a bonus, claiming he was incapable of knocking out an opponent.

Eventually the two would square off on stage – with Muhammad mocking Edwards’ infamous headshot dead’ taunt, before the latter failed in his bid to make the former flinch – lunging in his direction before they were corralled.

Earlier this year, post-fight bonuses at UFC 300 in April were raised to a whopping $300,000 from promotional leader, White – to much fan and pundit praise alike. 

Who do you think wins a special Dana White bonus of $100,000 at UFC 304?

Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’ 

It takes a mighty fight IQ to impress Max Holloway, but the UFC’s BMF champion thinks one athlete set to make the walk this weekend has exactly that. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week, staging an event in a UK city other than London for the first time since […]

Continue Reading Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’  at MMA News.

It takes a mighty fight IQ to impress Max Holloway, but the UFC’s BMF champion thinks one athlete set to make the walk this weekend has exactly that.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week, staging an event in a UK city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic. The host venue falls in Manchester, with two titles fights and a host of intriguing bouts set to go down inside the Co-op Live arena.

Topping the lineup will be a pair of English titleholders in welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. While the former targets his third successful defense at the expense of Belal Muhammad, the latter will be putting his strap on the line for the first time opposite Curtis Blaydes.

Like most, Holloway has his eyes firmly locked on those two championship collisions. And one of them will see a fighter who boasts a particular talent lauded by “Blessed” enter the Octagon…

Holloway Commends Edwards’ Fight IQ Ahead Of UFC 304

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Holloway provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major matchups set to play out in Manchester on Saturday night.

In terms of the main event, “Blessed” acknowledged that both Edwards and his challenger are “tacticians.” But when it comes to overall fight IQ, the BMF champ suggested that very few can match what “Rocky” brings to the table.

“Belal is a tactician. he’s a gameplanner. He does not stray away from his gameplan,” Holloway said. “But so does Leon, bro. Leon is a tactician. He’s a gameplanner. He sticks to his gameplan no matter what. … A lot of people were counting Leon out (ahead of the Covington fight) like he was gonna get grappled.

“Leon is one of the very few IQs in this game that I respect, man,” Holloway continued. “His fight IQ is super high, super smart. It’s just hard to go against the champ here, bro. I think Belal puts on a fight. Early in the fight, I think it’s a tough fight. But then when we get to the third and then the championship rounds, I think Leon is gonna take over.”

Interestingly, Muhammad has branded his fight IQ as one of the aspects of his game that is being most underrated in the lead-up to UFC 304.

He’ll look to prove that’s the case by using his intelligence and strategical approach to upset the odds and get the better of Edwards on fight night, achieving his long-held goal of UFC title glory in the process.

Continue Reading Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’  at MMA News.

Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’ 

UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes he knows why a sizable portion of the MMA community is against him. Muhammad is set to make the walk in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for Leon Edwards’ 170-pound title in enemy territory. Getting […]

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’  at MMA News.

UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes he knows why a sizable portion of the MMA community is against him.

Muhammad is set to make the walk in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for Leon Edwards’ 170-pound title in enemy territory.

Getting to the first shot of his UFC career hasn’t been an easy ride for “Remember the Name,” who has had to go unbeaten through 10 fights and win five straight since a no contest opposite “Rocky” to earn the chance.

Despite that arduous journey, however, it would appear that Muhammad still boasts a bigger group of detractors than most in the sport.

While some have put that down to his style of fighting, the UFC 304 title challenger has other theories…

Muhammad Explains Why Fans Don’t Want Him To Succeed

During a recent fight week interview with Daniel Cormier, Muhammad looked ahead to his first opportunity at winning gold on MMA’s biggest stage and assessed the continued doubt many are throwing his way.

In addition to his victories over widely adored fighters like Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns, Muhammad suggested the fanbase doesn’t respect a “blue-collar guy” making it in the sport without the kind of combat credentials others boast.

“I just feel like I’ve beaten their favorite fighters. I’ve beaten the fan favorites,” Muhammad said. “And when you look at me, I’m not a black belt in anything, I didn’t wrestle in college, I didn’t have the crazy accolades, Olympian or anything like that. I’m just a normal guy that outworks everybody. I’m a normal guy that started late in my career and did it the hard route. People just don’t respect that. But I’m the blue-collar guy.

“We’re in a new day and age. You’ve gotta be outlandish, you’ve gotta say stupid stuff, you’ve gotta be flashy, you’ve gotta smoke weed to get that hype,” Muhammad continued. “The fans nowadays, that’s what they’re looking at. … I’ve been telling people, if GSP was in this era, I don’t think anybody would like him. People would be like, ‘This guy’s boring, he’s too nice, he’s Canadian.’ … In his era, I would have been a superstar.”

Following Thursday’s press conference, there’s little doubt over the kind of reception Muhammad will receive from those in attendance at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday night.

But he expects to upset the home crowd and the odds at UFC 304, completing a title crowning that he’s long branded inevitable in the process.

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’  at MMA News.

UFC 304 heavyweight winner to face Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic victor

UFC 304 heavyweight winner to face Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic victorThe winner of Saturday’s interim heavyweight title clash between reigning champion Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes will move on…

UFC 304 heavyweight winner to face Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic victor

The winner of Saturday’s interim heavyweight title clash between reigning champion Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes will move on to face the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.

That comes according to Dana White who offered a one-word response when asked what comes next for the victor in UFC 304’s co-main event.

“Absolutely,” White said at the UFC 304 press conference when asked point-blank if the winner of Aspinall vs. Blaydes would fight either ‘Bones’ or Miocic next.

As great as that sounds, it’s not quite that simple. Ever since he won the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 285, Jon Jones has routinely teased retirement once his bout with Miocic is in the books. And even if Miocic pulls off the upset, it’s hard to imagine the consensus heavyweight GOAT — who will be 42 by the time he actually fights Jones — would stick around to fight either Aspinall or Blaydes.

That’s probably why Blaydes has been running around touting his title tilt with Aspinall as being for the “real” heavyweight crown.

Tom Aspinall face off with Curtis Blaydes

Tom Aspinall thinks His UFC 304 fight with ‘Razor’ will be a tougher test than what Jon Jones brings to the table

After dispatching Sergei Pavlovich in 69 seconds to claim the interim belt last November, Tom Aspinall lobbied hard for a unification fight with Jon Jones.

Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones

Failing to bait the two-division titleholder into a scrap, the Salford, England native opted to move on to Blaydes, a man he believes presents a much tougher test than a past-his-prime ‘Bones.’

“Because Curtis Blaydes is a well-established heavyweight and I’m not discrediting Jon at all, the guy’s unreal—well I might be discrediting him a bit—but as a heavyweight, Curtis Blaydes has proven multiple times that he’s elite,” Aspinall told Sky Sports.

“And he’s in his prime, Jon Jones isn’t. I think Blaydes is a tougher fight” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans

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.

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…

Sanko Believes UFC 304 Excitement Will Keep Fans Hooked

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.