The first event of the year in the UK will take place in Manchester, featuring two British champions in a pair of title fights. The main event will see Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad, a rematch from their 2021 encounter that ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Both fighters are on undefeated runs and have been on a collision course for some time.
In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes will face off in a rematch in the heavyweight division. Aspinall, the interim champion, suffered an injury early in their first fight, setting the stage for a much-anticipated rematch. Aspinall has since captured interim gold, while Blaydes has continued to impress with a win over Jailton Almeida. Expect an explosive fight with the interim belt on the line.
Other Main Card Bouts
Paddy Pimblett, a fan favorite, returns to the octagon to take on King Green in the lightweight division. Pimblett, undefeated in the UFC, will look to continue his winning streak after a victory over Tony Ferguson. Green, coming off a convincing win at UFC 300, will finally settle the score after years of trash talk with Pimblett.
Christian Leroy Duncan will face late-notice replacement Gregory Rodrigues in a middleweight bout. Duncan, coming off a dominant win in his last fight, will look to continue his good form against the tough and well-rounded Rodrigues. Violence is expected in this matchup.
The main card will kick off with a featherweight clash between Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze. Allen, looking to bounce back from two losses against tough opponents, will take on Chikadze, who is coming off a win and aims to continue his streak.
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Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks include predictions from leading MMA organizations like the UFC, PFL, Bellator MMA, ONE Championship, and DWCS. The individual with the most correct predictions by the end of 2024 will receive a custom-made championship belt or a detailed chain. Ben Jamieson won the staff picks in 2023 with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 304 picks and fight odds below.
Arnold Allen -238vs.Giga Chikadze +196
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Allen via Unanimous DecisionWesley Riddle:Michael DeSantis: Allen via Split DecisionAndrew Benjamin:Frazer Krohn: Allen via Unanimous DecisionNate Freeman: Allen via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Allen: 4Staff picking Chikadze: 0
Christian Leroy Duncan -142vs.Gregory Rodrigues +120
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Duncan via Unanimous DecisionWesley Riddle: N/AMichael DeSantis: Rodrigues via Round 2 TKOAndrew Benjamin: N/AFrazer Krohn: Duncan via Unanimous DecisionNate Freeman: Duncan via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Duncan: 3Staff picking Rodrigues: 1
Paddy Pimblett -102vs.Bobby Green +118
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Pimblett via Unanimous DecisionWesley Riddle: N/AMichael DeSantis: Green via Unanimous DecisionAndrew Benjamin: N/AFrazer Krohn: Green via Round 2 TKONate Freeman: Green via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pimblett: 1Staff picking Green: 3
Tom Aspinall -355vs.Curtis Blaydes +280
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISIONINTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
Jeremy Brand: Aspinall via Round 2 TKOWesley Riddle: N/AMichael DeSantis: Aspinall via Round 2 TKOAndrew Benjamin: N/AFrazer Krohn: Aspinall via Round 4 TKONate Freeman: Aspinall via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Aspinall: 4Staff picking Blaydes: 0
Leon Edwards -258vs.Belal Muhammad +210
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISIONWELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
Jeremy Brand: Edwards via Round 3 TKOWesley Riddle: N/AMichael DeSantis: Edwards via Unanimous DecisionAndrew Benjamin: N/AFrazer Krohn: Edwards via Unanimous DecisionNate Freeman: Edwards via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Edwards: 4Staff picking Muhammad: 0
