It was 5:30 a.m. local time in the Co-op Live in Manchester when the main event of UFC 304 started. Passionate UFC fans stayed awake all night to see some of the best fighters from the U.K. compete. By the end of a long night, one of their own, Leon Edwards, failed to retain the UFC welterweight title.
In Manchester, a long-time contender in Belal Muhammad beat Edwards to hold gold for the first time in his UFC career.
It was a dominant performance from Muhammad, who landed nine takedowns against Edwards, a career-high from any Edwards opponent. He rag-dolled Edwards around for most of the fight while also landing crisp shots to the face of an open Edwards. Edwards did land competent blows, including early ones to the chest of Muhammad. However, they were all for naught, as Muhammad didn’t back down.
Muhammad landed combinations, including a one-two and kick to the head, with uppercuts in the early rounds slowing Edwards down. Edwards got dropped on his head at one point, similar to Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas in 2019.
MORE: Francis Ngannou teases date for PFL debut this fall
Edwards attempted to fight back after a bit, but his control time offense wasn’t as dominant. It wasn’t until the last round he landed an elbow that forced Muhammad to bleed, but he couldn’t finish his opponent. Muhammad won via unanimous decision.
It was a rematch from 2021 when an eye poke to Muhammad forced the fight to end. Unbeaten since 2019, Muhammad finally reached the top of the mountain. Edwards lost his first fight since 2015, ending a 13-fight unbeaten streak. Regarding Muhammad, UFC fans will now and always “Remember The Name.”
Tom Aspinall proved he is one of the best heavyweights on the planet when it took him one minute to take out Curtis Blaydes to retain the interim UFC heavyweight title. Avenging a rematch where he injured himself in the first minute of the contest, Aspinall clipped Blaydes with several big shots. A right connected and dropped Blaydes, and Aspinall went for the attack like a shark.
A few shots later, Aspinall took out Blaydes, who earned another loss in his never-ending quest for gold. Aspinall called out Jon Jones, the UFC heavyweight champion, who is rumored to fight Stipe Miocic in November. A fight between the champion and interim champion is a must after tonight, though UFC CEO Dana White is adamant Jones vs. Miocic will happen.
“Hello, Jon. I have nothing against you personally, I just think I’m better than you. I just know I can beat you,” Aspinall said.
Paddy Pimblett put King Green to sleep in the biggest win of his young UFC career. The former Bobby Green, a hard hitter, was a massive test for “The Baddy,” a true favorite in the U.K.
The standup favored Pimblett, who had a long reach. Green tried a takedown, but Pimblett caught him with a kick and put Green in a guillotine. He transitioned to the armbar, and Green was out right away.
That was Green’s first submission loss since 2009. Pimblett will now be a ranked lightweight by the start of the week. He then called out Renato Moicano, ranked tenth at lightweight and on a three-fight win streak.
“Statement made, b-----,” said Pimblett.
Gregory Rodrigues rag-dolled Christian Leroy Duncan around the octagon for three rounds. Rodrigues, on a three-fight win streak, forced Duncan to the corner several times, showing his well-roundedness while suffering from a nasty cut near his eye.
Opening the main card was a fight with a quick pace in Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze. Ipswitch's Allen did not stop attacking Chikadze, pressing forward for all three rounds. His feet barely stayed on the mat. Using pressure, Allen outworked Chikadze to end a two-fight losing streak.
The Sporting News provided full results and highlights for UFC 304!
UFC 304 results, highlights
Belal Muhammad finally wins gold, decimates Leon Edwards
Round five: They trade shots in round five. Muhammad tried for a takedown but it was blocked. Right hand by Muhammad. By the cage, Muhammad had Edwards on his back and tried to smother him. Edwards had no form of offense in this round that could give him a win. With 40 seconds left, Edwards reversed and landed a big elbow that busted Muhammad open. It wasn't enough as Muhammad won the belt.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Muhammad (49-46 Muhammad)
Round four: Muhammad tried to charge right away. Edwards landed a high kick. Another one. Muhammad landed with hands, as Edwards' hands were down. Uppercut by Muhammad. One-two combinations by Muhammad. Takedown attempt by Muhammad and Edwards didn't have anything to counter with. Muhammad already landed eight takedowns. Muhammad maintained ground control. Rear-naked choke attempt as Edwards was able to reverse with 30 seconds left in the round. But it seems the end is almost inevitable.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Muhammad (39-37 Muhammad)
Round three: High kicks by Muhammad to start round three. He tagged Edwards, first with punches then a head kick. Another takedown. Edwards reversed and provided pressure by the cage. He tried a rear-naked choke and continued his quest to submit Muhammad for several minutes. Edwards punched the head of Muhammad, adding to his offense.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Muhammad)
Round two: Big kicks to the chest by Edwards. They exchanged shots. Muhammad landed whenever he could on Edwards' head. By the cage, Muhammad took Edwards down. Another takedown, and Edwards looked like he landed on his head. Knee to the head of Edwards. Muhammad rag-dolled Edwards. Edwards took over but appeared tired. Edwards with a takedown and knees to the body.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Muhammad (20-18)
Round one: Leon and Belal didn't touch gloves. Muhammad pressed forward to start and landed a takedown. He struck Edwards with punches as Edwards tried to get up. Back up, Edwards took control by the cage. He landed knees to the body and an elbow to the head. Edwards landed combinations and a leg kick. Another knee to the chest. Combinations by Edwards, following by a hard kick to the chest. A left hand by Muhammad connected. Edwards appeared faster. Uppercut by Muhammad. Another takedown by Muhammad.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Muhammad
The main event is up next, as Leon Edwards defends the UFC welterweight title against Belal Muhammad. It is a rematch from when Muhammad got his eye poked against Edwards and couldn't continue in 2021. Muhammad finally gets a title shot.
Aspinall calls out Jon Jones after the fight. A contest between Jones and Aspinall just makes all the sense in the world.
Tom Aspinall crushes Curtis Blaydes to retain interim heavyweight gold
Round one: Blaydes tried to strike early, landing a right. They exchanged shots, and Aspinall pushed him by the cage. Blaydes landed combinations. Aspinall landed a right that dropped Blaydes and jumped on top of him. He landed clean shots to the face of Blaydes and the referee saw enough. Wow!
11:58 p.m. ET: Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes fight for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Blaydes has been on the cusp of a title shot multiple times. Each time, something got in his way instead of him actually getting a title opportunity. Now, he has a chance to finally hold gold (interim) and secure his shot at glory. Aspinall looks to hold onto gold and avenge a loss against Blaydes.
After the fight, Pimblett called out Renato Moicano, ranked tenth at lightweight and on a three-fight win streak.
"The Baddy" puts King Green to sleep
11:45 p.m. ET: The crowd is awake now. Both fighters talk to one another in the ring. Pimblett with a few leg kicks to start. Green responded with one of his own. Calf kick by Pimblett pushed Green back. Green tried to press forward, but Pimblett's reach worked towards his favor. Green tried a takedown, Pimblett landed a kick and put Green in a guillotine. He transitioned to the armbar and it's all over.
Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett returns to action against King Green. If anyone can wake the tired crowd up, it is Paddy. Can he beat Green, a hard puncher? Also, it is 4:30 a.m. BST. Anyone in the U.K. awake?
Gregory Rodrigues with a complete win against Christian Leroy Duncan
11:25 p.m. ET: Rodrigues had Duncan on the floor to end round two. ESPN+ app malfunctioned for a bit but came back in the middle of the action. It appeared Duncan put Rodrigues down but the latter took control. Rodrigues was bleeding bad but was suffocating Duncan. He tried to submit the latter, but to no avail. Rodrigues won via unanimous decision.
11:15 p.m. ET: Duncan tried to rush Rodrigues back with kicks to start round one. Rodrigues with left hands and a high kick. He got on top of Duncan, suffocating him while landing hard shots to the face. Duncan tried to block Rodrigues' offense, but to no avail. Both landed clean shots in round two as Rodrigues had a cut by his eye. Duncan held Rodrigues by the cage. After a while Rodrigues switched positions. Both landed hard shots and continued to switch. Big right from Rodrigues. And a knee. Both men are bloodied.
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues is next.
Relentless Arnold Allen outworks Giga Chikadze
10:55 p.m. ET: Allen landed straight shots to the face of Chikadze as he continued his fast pace in round three. A massive kick by Chikadze landed, but Allen pressed forward and landed crisp punches. Allen finally slowed down, but not by much. He forced Chikadze to be pushed into the cage multiple times. Combinations landed as the round and fight ended. Allen won via unanimous decision.
10:45 p.m. ET: Allen continued to stalk Chikadze to start round two. Chikadze with two big jabs and another shot through Allen's defense. Both with leg attacks. Allen barely planted his feet. Big left by Allen pushed Chikadze back. He landed combinations as Chikadze tried to find an open space. High kicks from Chikadze landed as Allen found an opening with a left. Big right by Allen.
10:40 p.m. ET: Chikadze with quick leg kicks to start things off. As Allen stalked him down, Chikadze continued to land kicks. Allen with a high kick, and Chikadze landed one of his own. The former landed strikes on the inside. High kick by Chikadze landed followed by a punch through Allen's defense. Right by Allen, and a right by Chikadze and a knee connected.
10:30 p.m. ET: Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze opens up the main card.
Sweet Caroline plays at a combat sports event in the U.K, but before the first fight on the main card instead of the main event. Not used to that.
10:15 p.m. ET: The main card has started.
10:10 p.m. ET: Calf kicks by Wood hurt Pineda. A jab pushed Pineda back. Big shot by Wood landed, followed by a calf kick. Pineda's legs looked shot. Body shot by Pineda, followed by a huge left hook by Wood. On top of Pineda, Wood landed elbows. Round three went pas the 10 p.m. mark, when the PPV was supposed to start. Pineda's eye looked like a mess. Big elbow to Wood's face while on the floor. Pineda kept him on the floor for a long period of time. Wood won via unanimous decision.
9:55 p.m. ET: Wood with leg kicks right away. Pineda with an early takedown attempt, but Wood blocked it. Wood kept Pineda at bay with jabs. A kick to the stomach hand Pineda went down and Wood help him there for a period of time. Pineda finally got back on top and landed elbows. Pineda got hurt in round two thanks to a shot by the eye. A knee to the stomach of Pineda as well as a jab landed. Wood with kicks, with one landing below the belt. Recovered, Pineda landed a high kick.
The headliner of the prelims, Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda, is up next.
9:41 p.m. ET: Round three saw a desperate McCann try and take Brasil down, but Brasil would not go down, as she forced McCann to the floor. Kicks by McCann as they got back to their feet. Straight shots landed to the face of Brasil, who recovered with another takedown. On McCann's back, Brasil didn't do much, which allowed McCann to go on her back. Brasil countered and kept McCann by the cage. Brasil won via unanimous decision.
9:35 p.m. ET: Round two saw McCann going on the attack. Both landed hard shots to the face. Brasil got the better of a few exchanges, including an overhand right. McCann with a takedown attempt but Brasil's defense was superb. Big takedown finally landed by McCann. High kick by Brasil almost landed, and McCann landed a right. She attempted to take Brasil down again, but Brasil ended up on top. Right hand dropped McCann down.
9:28 p.m. ET: Brasil kicked the leg of McCann in round one, buckling her a bit. She landed a kick to the body and a right hand. McCann still felt fresh and chased her down the octagon. "Meatball" landed a right. Brasil hit a kick below the groin of McCann. Ouch. Brasil continued to land solid inside shots. Spinning kick almost landed. Kick to the stomach of McCann, who is hurt bad. Huge knees from Brasil. McCann on the floor now, looking out of it. Back up, McCann took Brasil down. Brasil focused on the body of McCann.
9:20 p.m. ET: Molly McCann is back in action in the U.K., as she faces Bruna Brasil. This seems like a quiet McCann/Paddy Pimblett fight week. Can "Meatball" Molly, from Liverpool start the party for the dynamic duo?
9:12 p.m. ET: Both traded shots in round three, with Loughran landing the better of the two. Jab by Hadley and Loughran countered with a takedown attempt. Elbow within the clinch by Hadley followed by a straight punch to the face. Uppercut by Loughran. Loughran with a clean right and Hadley countered with kicks and jabs. Hadley won via unanimous decision in a fight he accepted on short notice.
9:05 p.m. ET: Hadley landed a shot to the eye of Loughran early, which started bleeding. On the inside, Hadley landed a clean shot. Another clean punch from Hadley as he controlled the first round. Loughran with a takedown attempt which was canceled out. He landed a quick right but looked a bit stiff. Accidental shot below the belt by Loughran. By the cage, Loughran attempted to take Hadley down and successfully got it done.
8:50 p.m. ET: Caolan Loughran vs. Jake Hadley is up next.
8:41 p.m. ET: Kick to the face of Kape by Mokaev to start round three. In the corner, Mokaev and Kape traded takedown attempts. Mokaev with a kick that landed. On the floor, Kape had Mokaev in the guillotine. Kape then landed elbows to the head of Mokaev. On the feet, Mokaev landed leg kicks. A fight with not much action ended with a few takedown attempts by both. Mokaev won via unanimous decision.
8:34 p.m. ET: There was a knee and.a shot attempt by Mokaev in round two. Overhand shot by Mokaev, and it appears Kape broke his toe. It affected his balance, and Mokaev took him to the floor. Referee Mike Beltran warned Mokaev after putting the shorts down of Kape. Back on the feet, Mokaev landed a flying kick. Kick to the stomach by Mokaev and a right while against the fence.
8:25 p.m. ET: Both almost fought before the contest began while in the cage. Spicy. They traded blows right away. The tension could be cut with a knife. Mokaev used leg kicks. Kape with a shot to the face. A shot below the belt was called off. Spinning leg kick by Mokaev just missed. Mokaev continued with kicks. Kape landed a big shot to the face by the cage.
8:15 p.m ET: Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape is opens the prelims. An important fight in the flyweight division, with plenty of animosity. It has been moved all over the event, from the main card, early prelims, to the prelims.
8 p.m. ET: The prelims have started, albeit a bit late.
7:45 p.m. ET: On the last early prelim of the night, Oban Elliott defeated Preston Parsons via unanimous decision in a solid effort by both men.
7:15 p.m. ET: Modestas Bukauskas and Marcin Prachnio started hot until Bukauskas took his opponent to the floor. Before the end of the fight, Prachnio tapped out to an arm-triangle choke.
6:30 p.m. ET: The early prelims opened up with Shauna Bannon going the distance against Alice Ardelean. Mick Parkin knocked out Lukasz Brzeski before midnight U.K. time. And Sam Patterson landed the arm-triangle choke against Kiefer Crosbie.
Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 304.
UFC 304 results
Main Card
- Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards (c) via unanimous decision for the UFC welterweight title (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
- Tom Aspinall (ic) def. Curtis Blaydes via KO (1:00 into round one) for the interim UFC heavyweight title
- Paddy Pimblett def. King Green via triangle choke submission (3:22 into round one)
- Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy Duncan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)