The UFC returns to Manchester, England for the first time since October 2016 on Saturday with UFC 304, which goes down at Co-op Live with a main card on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
A doubleheader of championship fights sits at the top of the bill – and both of them feature British titleholders attempting to defend their belts in rematches.
In the main event, Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) attempts to make a third consecutive welterweight title defense when he runs it back with Belal Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC), who he fought to a no contest due an accidental eye poke at UFC Fight Night 187 in March 2021.
The co-headliner, meanwhile, sees interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) attempt to avenge his lone octagon defeat against Curtis Blaydes(18-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC), who got a win by injury TKO just 15 seconds into their initial meeting at UFC Fight Night 208 in July 2022.
For more on the numbers behind both matchups, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC 305.
* * * *
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad
Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 187
Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 187 is one of two main events in company history to end in a no contest due to a fouled fighter behind unable to continue.
Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 is the fourth matchup in history to feature two competitors on UFC unbeaten streaks of 10 or more fights, joining Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman (UFC 278), Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira (UFC 280), and Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 284).
Edwards is the only Jamaican-born champion in UFC history.
Edwards is one of two undisputed British titleholders in UFC history. Michael Bisping also accomplished the feat.
Edwards’ 13-fight UFC unbeaten streak is the third-longest active streak in the company behind Jon Jones (18) and Islam Makhachev (14).
Edwards’ 13-fight UFC unbeaten streak at welterweight is the longest active streak in the division.
Edwards’ 13-fight UFC unbeaten streak at welterweight is the longest streak in divisional history.
Edwards’ eight-second knockout of Seth Baczynski at UFC Fight Night 64 is the third fastest in UFC welterweight history. Jorge Masvidal holds the record with his five-second finish of Ben Askren at UFC 239 this month.
Edwards’ victory at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 127 is tied for the second latest knockout in a three-fight UFC fight behind Ricky Simon’s victory over Merab Dvalishvili at 5:00 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 129.
Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad
Muhammad is 13-1 with one no contest in his past 14 fights dating back to February 2017. His lone defeat came against Geoff Neal at UFC on ESPN+ 1.
Muhammad’s 10-fight UFC unbeaten streak at welterweight is the second-longest active streak in the division behind Edwards (13).
Muhammad has earned 17 of his 23 career victories by decision. That includes 11 of his 14 UFC wins.
Muhammad’s 11 decision victories in UFC welterweight competition are third-most in divisional history behind Neil Magny (14) and Georges St-Pierre (12).
Muhammad defends 93.3 percent of opponent takedown attempts in UFC welterweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Kamaru Usman (97.3 percent).
Leave a Reply