The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has stirred up quite a storm with its announcement regarding the start times for UFC 304. Scheduled to take place in Manchester, England, this event has left fans in the UK scratching their heads due to the early hours at which it will unfold.
UFC 304’s main card is set to kick off at 5 am local time in Manchester. For fans in the United Kingdom, this means staying up late or waking up early to catch the action. The preliminary fights are even earlier, starting at 11 pm UK time. The reason behind these unusual hours? The UFC aims to maximize pay-per-view (PPV) sales by catering to its strong American audience.
Tom Aspinall reacts to the controversial #UFC304 start time 😀🥱 pic.twitter.com/yOB735Kd53
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 28, 2024
Tom Aspinall’s Discontent
British heavyweight fighter Tom Aspinall took to Instagram to express his displeasure with the early start time. Alongside a photo of himself yawning in the Octagon, Aspinall captioned it, “When you find out you have to scrap with someone at 5 am.” Aspinall’s reaction resonated with fans who shared his qualms about the schedule. Many UK fans feel it’s a disservice to them, considering they often have to adjust their viewing times to match US events.
Tom Aspinall, born in Salford, was initially thrilled when he learned that the UFC would be hosting an event essentially on his home turf. However, the late start time for his fight must have left a bitter taste. Aspinall boasts a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 3 losses, with 11 of those wins coming by knockout.
While the UFC 304 fight card has not been officially confirmed, fans are speculating about Tom Aspinall’s opponent. One intriguing possibility is a matchup against Ciryl Gane. The two heavyweights have a history of beef, stemming from Gane’s refusal to acknowledge Aspinall’s presence in Paris last year. If this bout materializes, it could be a heated showdown between two rising stars in the division.