UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2 was one of the standout events in UFC’s 2024 calendar. Held on July 27, 2024 at Co‑op Live in Manchester, England, the event delivered two title fights, a stacked fight card, and plenty of drama — making it a crucial moment for fans, fighters and the future of the sport.
What is UFC 304: Definition and Context
What does “UFC 304” mean?
The term “UFC 304” refers to the 304th numbered pay‑per‑view event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Numbered UFC events — as opposed to “Fight Night” or unnumbered cards — tend to carry more significance: they feature marquee match‑ups, title fights, and sometimes multiple high‑profile bouts on the same card.
“UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2” specifically indicates that the main event was a second fight (a rematch) between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad.
Why was UFC 304 important?
It marked UFC’s return to Manchester — the promotion’s fifth visit to the city, but the first since 2016.
The card featured two title fights (welterweight and interim heavyweight), offering major implications for UFC’s title hierarchies.
It demonstrated UFC’s global expansion strategy — popular fighters, cross‑Atlantic events, and fan engagement outside the traditional US stronghold.
UFC 304: At A Glance — Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
| Event | UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2 |
| Date | July 27, 2024 |
| Venue | Co‑op Live, Manchester, England |
| Attendance | 17,907 spectators |
| Gate revenue | US$ 6,720,000 |
| Number of fights | 14 (including men’s and women’s bouts) |
| Main event | Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad — Welterweight Championship |
| Co‑main event | Interim Heavyweight Championship: Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes |
Build-up to the Event: Background and Stakes
Return to Manchester
UFC 304 marked the return of UFC to Manchester, England — a city it had not visited since 2016. This 2024 event represented UFC’s effort to re-engage European fans with a big, marquee pay‑per‑view instead of a lesser “Fight Night.”
But while the venue was in Manchester, the broadcast schedule remained on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), meaning the prelims and main card would air in the UK at 11 p.m. BST and 3:00 a.m. BST respectively — a late‑night/early‑morning schedule by local standards. This led to criticism from fans and fighters alike.
Why these fights: Title ramifications and rematch drama
Welterweight Title – Edwards vs Muhammad 2: The main event was a rematch between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad. Their first fight, in 2021, ended as a no‑contest due to an accidental eye poke that forced Muhammad to stop. The rematch carried significant weight: a win would crown or reaffirm the champion.
Interim Heavyweight Title — Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes: The co‑main event was for the interim heavyweight belt. Their prior fight — in July 2022 — was won by Blaydes after Aspinall suffered a knee injury seconds into the bout. This rematch was meant to settle unfinished business.
Other bouts and reshuffles
As with many UFC events, the card was subject to changes. Fights were added, removed, replaced, or restructured leading up to the event. For example:
A middleweight bout originally scheduled between Christian Leroy Duncan and Robert Bryczek was changed when Bryczek withdrew — replaced by former LFA champion Gregory Rodrigues.
A women’s strawweight bout saw replacement when original competitor withdrew.
A bantamweight fight had a contracted replacement and then a catchweight adjustment due to a fighter missing weight, with a fine imposed.
All this made UFC 304 a dynamic, unpredictable card — offering both high stakes and potential volatility.
What Happened: Fight Results and Highlights
Main Card Results
Welterweight Championship — Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision after five rounds (scorecards: 48–47, 48–47, 49–46), thereby capturing the welterweight title.
Interim Heavyweight Championship — Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes
Tom Aspinall won via knockout in just 1:00 of Round 1 with a punch, thereby earning the interim heavyweight title.
Lightweight Bout — Paddy Pimblett vs Bobby Green
Paddy Pimblett secured a first‑round submission (triangle choke) at 3:22, delivering an emphatic win.
Middleweight Bout — Gregory Rodrigues vs Christian Leroy Duncan
Gregory Rodrigues won via unanimous decision after three rounds.
Featherweight Bout — Arnold Allen vs Giga Chikadze
Arnold Allen emerged victorious by unanimous decision after three tightly contested rounds.
In addition to the main card, there were preliminary and early‑prelim fights across multiple weight divisions (featherweight, strawweight, bantamweight, flyweight, light heavyweight, etc.). Most fights went the distance, though there were notable finishes by submission and knockout in the undercard.
Bonus Awards and Performance Highlights
Performance of the Night bonuses were awarded to Tom Aspinall and Mick Parkin.
Notably, the usual “Fight of the Night” bonus was not awarded. Instead, extra emphasis was placed on exceptional individual performances, highlighting the rising importance of knockouts and submission finishes even on stacked cards.
These standout performances — especially Aspinall’s quick knockout and Pimblett’s submission — offered high drama and showcased the depth of talent on the card.
Real‑Life Impact: What UFC 304 Meant for Fighters, Fans, and UFC
For Fighters
Belal Muhammad earned the welterweight title, a career-defining achievement. As champion, his future fights and defenses would now be under a spotlight — potentially elevating his marketability and legacy.
Tom Aspinall’s knockout win for the interim heavyweight belt reaffirmed his place among UFC’s elite heavyweights, and likely set the stage for a unification fight for the full heavyweight title.
Mid‑card winners like Paddy Pimblett and Gregory Rodrigues reaffirmed their value — showing that performance matters not just in title fights. Strong wins at UFC 304 could boost their future matchups, ticket power, or even title contention aspirations.
For fighters who lost — such as Leon Edwards — UFC 304 meant reevaluating strategy, rebuilding momentum, or taking time off. Losses at high-profile events can be painful but often mark career crossroads.
For Fans and the MMA Community
UFC 304 helped reinforce UFC’s global reach, reminding fans worldwide that big UFC events aren’t limited to Las Vegas or US cities. Hosting in Manchester renewed interest among European fans and proved UFC’s international viability.
The late UK broadcast schedule sparked debate over how global events are timed — balancing US primetime preferences with respect for local audiences. Many fans criticized the 3 a.m. start, highlighting tensions between global expansion and fan experience.
The event’s outcome reshaped divisions: new champions, shifting contenders, and fresh storylines — creating buzz, speculation, and excitement for future events.
For UFC as a Brand and Business
With 17,907 attendees and a gate of over $6.7 million, UFC 304 demonstrated that international pay‑per‑view events remain commercially viable.
The card’s dramatic finishes and compelling matchups provided attractive content for broadcasting partners, streaming platforms, and future marketing campaigns.
UFC’s willingness to adjust bonuses — raising fight night rewards to $100,000 ahead of the event — signaled a commitment to reward performance, incentivize fighters, and maintain high entertainment value.
Lessons and Practical Takeaways for Fans, Fighters, and Aspiring MMA Participants
Global reach demands adaptability — For fans outside the US, “prime time” may mean late nights or early mornings. If you follow international UFC events — plan ahead: adjust sleep schedules, coordinate watch parties, and manage work or school accordingly.
Consistency matters — not just star power: Mid‑card and under‑card fighters like Pimblett or Rodrigues showed that consistent training and performance can pay off. For aspiring fighters: invest in fundamentals, prepare for unpredictability, and seize every opportunity.
Card stacking creates value: UFC 304 had multiple title fights + deep undercard — a sign that modern UFC events aim to deliver value to both hardcore and casual fans.
Be ready for volatility: Cancellations, weight misses, replacements are part of the business. Flexibility — both mentally and logistically — helps prepare for surprise changes.
Performance gets rewarded: UFC’s bonus structure (Performance of the Night) shows that spectacular finishes — knockout, submission — matter. For fans: expect and appreciate explosive fighting. For fighters: aim for finishing ability, not just winning.
Local audience vs. global scheduling tension: UFC 304’s UK fans experienced a late start. For international fans, this raises awareness: if following UFC globally, consider how broadcast timing impacts reach and enjoyment.
Broader Trends Reflected by UFC 304 (as of 2024–2025)
International expansion remains a priority
UFC 304’s Manchester location shows the UFC’s continued emphasis on global markets — both for live events and fan base growth. More international cards bring exposure to different audiences, grow MMA globally, and diversify UFC’s revenue streams.
Increased emphasis on stacked cards and content depth
Rather than rely solely on one marquee fight, UFC appears to value deep fight cards with multiple high-stakes or high-entertainment bouts. This boosts value for PPV buyers and encourages fans to stay invested from start to finish.
Rewarding performance over popularity
With Performance of the Night bonuses and no “Fight of the Night” awarded at UFC 304, UFC is signalling that clean finishes and standout performances — even in early rounds — are as valuable as long, dramatic fights.
Evolving fighter career paths
UFC 304 demonstrated that fighters have more routes to prominence: not only through title fights, but also through undercard success, submissions, or knockouts. For emerging fighters, this opens pathways beyond “wait for a title shot.”
Challenges in balancing global scheduling and local fan experience
The criticism around UFC 304’s start time for UK fans highlights that as UFC globalizes, it must balance broadcast schedules to serve both local live audiences and international viewers. How UFC handles this going forward may influence future fan engagement and venue selection.
Real‑Life Examples: What UFC 304 Tells Us
For example, consider a devoted UFC fan in Manchester. Despite the late 3 a.m. start time, he or she pulled an all‑nighter — sacrificing sleep to watch a historic card. For fans worldwide, this demonstrates the passion and commitment the sport inspires.
A mid‑tier fighter — maybe in a gym training for years — might look at Paddy Pimblett’s win and recognize that with the right performance, they too can get noticed. UFC 304 breaks the myth that only title fights matter.
Event promoters and UFC themselves can see from UFC 304 that international events can deliver — good attendance, strong revenue, engaging fights — and may be incentivized to schedule more global pay-per-views.
Step‑by-Step Guide: How to Watch a Major UFC Event Like UFC 304 (and Make the Most of It)
Check the schedule carefully
Note the venue location and time zone. If the event is in Europe or Asia, the local broadcast time may be inconvenient.
Convert fight times to your time zone, and adjust sleep/work accordingly.
Acquire reliable streaming/subscription access
Use official channels or streaming platforms in your region. Avoid illegal streams — they’re unreliable, lower quality, and may carry legal or malware risk.
Plan viewing logistics
If fights air late at night or early morning, consider whether to stay up, record, or watch delayed/condensed highlights.
Invite friends or fellow fans — watching as a group can make long events more manageable and fun.
Prepare for unpredictability
Fight cards may change: injuries, replacements, cancellations. Expect last-minute changes.
Don’t expect every fight to be a headline — some undercard bouts may surprise you with performance.
Engage actively
Consider keeping notes on fights, outcomes, standout moments.
Share your reactions afterward — on social media, with friends, or in fan communities.
Reflect and follow up
Look for bonus announcements after the event (e.g., Performance of the Night).
Track how wins/losses affect rankings, future match-ups, and title implications.
What UFC 304 Means for the Future — Emerging Trends
Expect more global pay-per-view events: UFC 304’s success in Manchester may encourage the organization to schedule more events outside the U.S., in Europe, Asia, or other regions — bringing MMA closer to global fans.
Deep cards with multiple stakes: Future events are likely to continue stacking cards with more than one title fight, plus strong undercards — offering greater value for fans.
Performance-driven bonuses and greater incentive for finishes: As merit-based bonuses favor decisive finishes, fighters may increasingly prioritize knockout or submission over simply winning.
Increased opportunities for mid-tier fighters: As seen at UFC 304, standout performances — even in non-main-event fights — can elevate a fighter’s profile and lead to better matchups, sponsorship, or fan attention.
Better fan experience planning needed: As UFC continues global expansion, balancing broadcast timings to suit local audiences will be crucial to preserving fan engagement and goodwill.
FAQ
When and where was UFC 304 held?
UFC 304 took place on July 27, 2024, at Co‑op Live in Manchester, England.
Who headlined UFC 304 — and why was it significant?
The main event was a welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad. It was significant because it was a rematch: their previous fight ended in a no‑contest due to an accidental eye poke. The rematch decided the welterweight belt.
What were the main results of UFC 304?
Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision to win the welterweight title. Tom Aspinall defeated Curtis Blaydes by knockout in Round 1 to claim the interim heavyweight title. Other notable wins included Paddy Pimblett by first‑round submission, and victories by Gregory Rodrigues and Arnold Allen on the main card.
How many fights took place at UFC 304 and how many were on the main card?
The event featured a total of 14 fights, with multiple bouts forming the main card and the rest on prelim and early-prelim cards.
What were the bonus awards at UFC 304 — and who received them?
There was no “Fight of the Night” awarded. Instead, “Performance of the Night” bonuses went to Tom Aspinall and Mick Parkin. This highlights UFC’s emphasis on exceptional individual performances and finishes over simply long, competitive fights.
Final Thoughts
UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2 was more than just another numbered event. It was a global statement by UFC — combining championship stakes, international reach, stacked undercards, and high entertainment value. For fighters, it offered career‑making opportunities; for fans, a night of raw energy, drama, and unforgettable moments; for the sport itself, a blueprint for how modern MMA events can look in a globalized world.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a newcomer to MMA, or someone curious about combat sports, UFC 304 offers plenty to learn from: how scheduling and global events impact fans, how performance is rewarded, and how unpredictability remains part of the package. As UFC continues to evolve, cards like UFC 304 will likely become the standard — deep, global, and packed with possibility.
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