UFC 304: Dana White says Manchester will see biggest night of MMA in UK to date - 'It's a big deal'

Dana White has vowed that the winner of Tom Aspinall's UFC heavyweight fight against Curtis Blaydes will "absolutely" face Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic. The UFC Ceo and President has also predicted that the UK is "probably" in for its best night of UFC action to date. Deon Edwards headlines as he faces Belal Muhammad in a welterweight world title clash, while Aspinall's interim title is on the line.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The United Kingdom will "probably" be treated to the best night of UFC action it has ever seen this weekend, according to CEO and president Dana White.

UFC 304 takes place at Manchester's Co-op Arena on Saturday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

It is headlined by home-favourites Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall, who take on Belal Muhammad and Curtis Blaydes respectively.

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Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann, both from Liverpool, are among the names on the undercard.

"It's a big deal," White said at the press conference two days out from the main event.

"This is probably [the biggest night UFC history in the UK]. We broke the gate record. It's not a long history of gates here at the new arena, but the main and co-main are Brits."

Welterweight world champion Edwards takes on Belal Muhammad in a bad-tempered re-match.

The initial contest, back in March 2021, was ruled a no-contest after the latter received an accidental poke to the eye.

The pair have exchanged many a bad word in the build up to the fight, with Muhammad booed as he vowed to knock out his opponent.

"I'm going to be battering his face," he said. "All this energy doesn't really mean anything.

"I want that same energy. I want you guys to give him confidence, because on Saturday night, your boy's going to get a head shot - bad.

"You guys are going to have to wake him up. I want you guys to be this loud on Saturday night at 5am so he wakes up. You're going to be his alarm clock."

'100%!' - Edwards says he's looking to make a statement at UFC 304

Video credit: TNT Sports

Edwards responded by suggesting that the challenger for his title is wasting too much energy on the pre-fight war of words.

"He's too slow and now he's angry, tense," he said. "He's going to fall into traps.

"When has he ever tortured anybody? The guy's deluded. Just another guy in the way. I'm chasing greatness. He's another opponent in the way. He's too slow. You're getting knocked out."

Aspinall 'not underestimating' blaydes

While Edwards vs Muhammad 2 will headline the event, Aspinall's heavyweight clash with Curtis will mean fireworks too.

The 31-year-old, from Salford, will command huge support from the Manchester crowd.

The interim world title will be on the line, with Aspinall already the defending champion after his knock-out victory over Sergei Pavlovich in November.

He lost to Blaydes by TKO two years ago though, so he knows he is in for a tough evening.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"Curtis; the guy's good everywhere," he said. "I'm not underestimating this guy. This guy's good.

"This is the fight between the two best heavyweights in the world. This guy's legit."

Blaydes returned the respect, adding: "I agree. He's one of the fastest heavyweights I've ever seen in the UFC heavyweight division."

As if the excitement was not palpable enough, White then confirmed that the winner will "absolutely" face who comes out on top in a bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

UFC 304: What TV channel is the main card on?

Live coverage from the Co-op Live arena in Manchester begins at 03:00 UK time on Sunday, July 28 on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.

What time does UFC 304 start in the UK?

The prelims start at 01:00 on Sunday, July 28, with the main card following at 03:00. The early prelims, which can be watched on UFC Fight Pass, start at 23:15 UK time on Saturday night.

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