The UFC 304 event, which took place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, on July 27, 2024, saw a new welterweight champion crowned as Belal Muhammad dethroned Leon Edwards in a stunning unanimous decision victory. In the co-main event, Tom Aspinall successfully defended his interim heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes.
UFC 304: Belal Muhammad Dominates Leon Edwards to Become New Welterweight Champion
In a highly anticipated rematch, Belal Muhammad put on a wrestling clinic to neutralize Leon Edwards’ striking and secure a unanimous decision win. The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, all in favor of Muhammad, who became the first Palestinian-American to hold a UFC championship.
Muhammad’s game plan was clear from the outset as he repeatedly took Edwards down and controlled him on the ground. Despite Edwards’ attempts to escape and land strikes from the bottom, Muhammad’s grappling prowess and improved striking kept the champion at bay.
“It sounds like a lot of the people booing have a lot of tears in their eyes right now,” an emotional Muhammad said in his post-fight interview. “I’ve worked my whole life for this moment, and I’m just getting started.”
UFC 304: Tom Aspinall Avenges Loss to Curtis Blaydes With First-Round KO
Tom Aspinall made quick work of Curtis Blaydes in their rematch, avenging his previous loss due to injury with a stunning first-round knockout. Aspinall caught Blaydes with a crisp combination early, dropping the American wrestler before finishing the fight with ground strikes just one minute into the bout.
The impressive performance cements Aspinall’s status as the top contender in the heavyweight division and sets up a potential unification bout with undisputed champion Jon Jones.
UFC 304 Results: Paddy Pimblett Submits King Green, Calls Out Top Lightweights
Rising star Paddy Pimblett continued his ascent up the lightweight rankings with a first-round submission victory over King Green. Pimblett showcased his grappling prowess, transitioning from a guillotine attempt to a fight-ending triangle choke.
In his post-fight interview, Pimblett called out several top lightweights, including Renato Moicano and Benoit Saint Denis, who are set to face each other at the upcoming UFC Fight Night event in Paris.
UFC 304: Arnold Allen Edges Out Giga Chikadze in Featherweight Thriller
In a closely contested featherweight bout, Arnold Allen emerged victorious over Giga Chikadze via unanimous decision. The fight saw both men have their moments, but it was Allen’s well-rounded game and consistency that earned him the nod from the judges.
UFC 304: Other Main Card Results
- Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy Duncan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Muhammad Mokaev def. Manel Kape via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Preliminary Card Standout Performances
The UFC 304 preliminary card featured several impressive performances, including:
- Sam Patterson submitting Kiefer Crosbie with an arm-triangle choke in the first round
- Mick Parkin knocking out Lukasz Brzeski in the opening frame of their heavyweight clash
- Modestas Bukauskas securing a third-round arm-triangle choke victory over Marcin Prachnio
UFC 304 Marks Successful Return to England
UFC 304 marked the promotion’s return to England for the first time since UFC 286 in March 2023. The sold-out crowd of over 20,000 fans at the Co-op Live Arena created an electric atmosphere, despite the main event result disappointing local fans hoping to see Edwards retain his title.
What’s Next for the UFC?
With the welterweight title changing hands and the interim heavyweight champion making a statement, the UFC’s next events are highly anticipated. The promotion heads to Abu Dhabi for UFC 305, headlined by a pivotal bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov.
Other upcoming fights include Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 and the expected return of Jon Jones later this year to face the winner of Aspinall vs. Blaydes for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the main event at UFC 304?
Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision to become the new UFC welterweight champion.
How did Tom Aspinall win his fight against Curtis Blaydes?
Tom Aspinall knocked out Curtis Blaydes in the first round of their interim heavyweight title fight.
What’s next for Belal Muhammad after winning the welterweight title?
As the new welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad is likely to face top contenders such as Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington, or Kamaru Usman in his first title defense.
When and where did UFC 304 take place?
UFC 304 took place on July 27, 2024, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Conclusion
UFC 304 delivered a night of exciting fights and unexpected results, with Belal Muhammad’s dominant victory over Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall’s stunning knockout of Curtis Blaydes standing out as the evening’s most memorable moments. As the UFC continues to deliver high-stakes, action-packed events, fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups and unforgettable performances in the coming months.