UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2 – A Night of Surprises in Manchester

The UFC 304 event, headlined by the much-anticipated rematch between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, took place at Co-op Live in Manchester, England on July 27, 2024. It was a night of high drama, thrilling fights, and unexpected outcomes that had fans on the edge of their seats. Here’s a recap of the night’s action-packed card.

Main Event: Belal Muhammad Claims Welterweight Title

In the main event, Belal Muhammad achieved a major career milestone by defeating Leon Edwards to become the new UFC welterweight champion. The fight was a back-and-forth battle, but Muhammad’s relentless aggression and wrestling skills proved to be the difference.

From the start, Muhammad showed he was ready to fight for the title. He took Edwards down multiple times in the first two rounds, showcasing his superior grappling. Edwards managed to recover and put up a strong fight in the third round, even managing to take Muhammad down. However, Muhammad's wrestling continued to dominate in the later rounds, and he secured the victory with a unanimous decision.

The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, all in favor of Muhammad. This win marks Muhammad’s sixth consecutive victory and his first UFC title.

Co-Main Event: Tom Aspinall Defends Interim Heavyweight Title

In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall successfully defended his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes. The fight was over in just one minute, as Aspinall delivered a quick and decisive victory.

Aspinall started strong, and after Blaydes tried to land a power shot, Aspinall countered with a left hook that knocked Blaydes down. He followed up with a flurry of punches that ended the fight. This victory not only solidifies Aspinall’s position as a top contender but also avenged his previous loss to Blaydes.

Paddy Pimblett Shines with a Quick Submission

Paddy Pimblett had a standout performance against King Green. The fight ended quickly in the first round when Pimblett locked in a triangle choke, forcing Green to tap out.

The fight started with both fighters feeling each other out. Green attempted a takedown, which allowed Pimblett to switch to the triangle choke and secure the win. Pimblett’s victory was impressive and showcases his submission skills, adding another win to his UFC unbeaten streak.

Gregory Rodrigues Dominates Christian Leroy Duncan

Veteran middleweight Gregory Rodrigues delivered a dominant performance against Christian Leroy Duncan. Rodrigues controlled the fight from start to finish, using his power and technique to earn a unanimous decision victory.

Rodrigues showcased his well-rounded skills by mixing up his striking and grappling, frustrating Duncan throughout the fight. Rodrigues’ impressive performance moves him further up the middleweight rankings, while Duncan has some lessons to learn from this tough fight.

Arnold Allen Returns to Winning Ways

Arnold Allen faced Giga Chikadze in a thrilling opening fight of the main card. The bout was a striking battle, with both fighters exchanging powerful blows.

Chikadze began strong with his quick kicks, but Allen adjusted and started landing more significant strikes as the fight went on. Allen’s ability to absorb Chikadze’s attacks and return with his own led him to a unanimous decision victory, scoring 29-28 on all judges’ cards. This win was crucial for Allen, who had been on a losing streak.

Nathaniel Wood and Bruna Brasil Secure Wins

In other main card action, Nathaniel Wood defeated Daniel Pineda with a unanimous decision, showing his technical skill and control throughout the fight. The judges scored the bout 29-27, 29-27, and 29-28 in favor of Wood.

Bruna Brasil also earned a unanimous decision victory over Molly McCann. Brasil’s performance was impressive, with the judges scoring the fight 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

Jake Hadley and Muhammad Mokaev Continue Winning Streaks

Flyweights Jake Hadley and Muhammad Mokaev both secured victories on the main card. Hadley defeated Caolan Loughran with a unanimous decision, while Mokaev won against Manel Kape, also by unanimous decision. Both fighters showed their skills and solidified their positions in their respective weight classes.

Undercard Highlights

The preliminary card featured several notable performances. Modestas Bukauskas defeated Marcin Prachnio with an arm-triangle choke in the third round. Sam Patterson also secured a submission victory over Kiefer Crosbie with an arm-triangle choke in the first round.

Mick Parkin delivered a knockout win against Lukasz Brzeski, and Shauna Bannon won by split decision against Alice Ardelean.

Conclusion

UFC 304 was a night to remember, with Belal Muhammad capturing the welterweight title and Tom Aspinall defending his interim heavyweight title in spectacular fashion. The event showcased a mix of exciting finishes, technical skill, and dramatic moments that left fans thrilled.

As the UFC continues to build momentum, fighters like Muhammad and Aspinall are setting the stage for future matchups and exciting events. Stay tuned for more action as the UFC calendar progresses, and keep an eye out for these rising stars and their next challenges.