The UFC headed to Manchester, England for UFC 304 on July 27, 2024. The timing of the event, particularly the title fight at 3 am in the UK, sparked some controversy. Setting that aside momentarily, let’s delve into the match-by-match breakdown of what transpired at the event.
The focus will primarily be on the main card, with a brief mention of some undercard matches featuring promising UFC fighters.
Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze
The main card opened with an intense battle between Arnold Allen from England and Giga Chikadze from Georgia. Allen was the favorite to win, aiming to energize the arena. While many expected an early victory for Allen, the match went the distance, culminating in a unanimous decision in his favor. Allen showcased impressive stamina, landing a significantly higher number of strikes in the third round compared to the previous rounds, demonstrating his potential as a strong competitor in longer fights.
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues
The next main card bout was closely contested, with Gregory Rodrigues emerging victorious by split decision. Despite a slow start in the first round, Rodrigues ramped up his offense with numerous strikes and successful takedowns, ultimately securing the win in the middleweight clash.
King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett
In an evenly matched lightweight showdown, English fighter Paddy Pimblett impressed with a submission victory over King Green in just 3:22. Pimblett’s stellar performance earned him accolades from UFC, hinting at a potential rise in his rankings for future events.
Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes
In the Heavyweight Interim Title Bout, English fighter Tom Aspinall dominated the match, swiftly securing a TKO victory over Curtis Blaydes in just one minute. Aspinall’s overwhelming performance showcased his superiority in the bout.
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad
The welterweight title bout witnessed Belal Muhammad claiming victory over Leon Edwards by unanimous decision, surprising many who expected Edwards to win. Muhammad’s aggressive strikes and successful takedowns outclassed Edwards, paving the way for him to potentially defend his welterweight title in future matches.
Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil (Preliminary)
On the preliminary card, Bruna Brasil emerged victorious in a compelling strawweight bout against Molly McCann. While Brasil was the favorite, McCann displayed resilience and fought fiercely, setting the stage for exciting future opportunities for both fighters.
Mark Parkin vs. Lukasz Brzeski (Preliminary)
In a heavyweight preliminary bout, Mark Parkin impressed with a dominant performance, earning the Performance of the Night award with a quick KO victory over Lukasz Brzeski. Parkin’s skill and efficiency in the octagon hint at a promising future in the MMA scene.
Shauna Bannon vs. Alice Ardelean (Preliminary)
The first preliminary fight of the night concluded with Shauna Bannon securing a split decision victory over Alice Ardelean. Bannon’s striking prowess and strategic approach earned her the win, showcasing her potential to make waves in the strawweight division.
While other matches took place during the event, these highlighted encounters stood out. Despite not being the most spectacular UFC night, the performances of English fighters delighted the crowd, fulfilling the entertainment objectives of the event.
