UFC 304’s Crazy Start Time Forces Custom Sleep Schedule
Fight fans are happy to know that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is returning to Manchester, England, to stage UFC 304 tomorrow night (Sat., July 27, 2024) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Co-op Live arena, but the time difference is throwing everything off.
Since tomorrow’s event is an official PPV featuring two title fights and the Octagon return of rising star Paddy Pimblett, the promotion needed to keep its standard start time for the main card. That means a usual start time of 10 p.m. ET here in the United States, but that equates to a 3 a.m. (Sunday) start time from Manchester.
It’s a hefty price to pay to compete in front of the English fans, but that leaves guys like UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall set to defend their titles in the wee hours of the morning. Most fighters are not used to getting into a fist fight at 5 a.m. so it’s been an adjustment to say the least.
In effort to help all of the fighters competing this weekend manage their altered schedules, the UFC Performance Institute dished out a custom sleep schedule promoting better functionality and planning. It’s a nice gesture by UFC, but this is a rough schedule for those fighting in Manchester.
Check it out below:
With the weird time slot for UFC 304 in London, the UFC PI gave fighters a sleep schedule to follow so they can function better for the 3am PPV. pic.twitter.com/8R3iu2x2u1
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) July 26, 2024
UFC 304’s main event will feature Edwards defending his 170-pound title for the third time when he rematches streaking contender Belal Muhammad. The co-headliner will showcase Aspinall in a rematch against fellow heavyweight finisher Curtis Blaydes. Pimblett, who will make his third-straight UFC PPV main card appearance, will meet Bobby “King” Green in a lightweight scrap.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 304 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 304: “Edwards vs. Muhammad 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 304 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/7/26/24206873/ufc-304s-crazy-start-time-forces-custom-sleep-schedules-manchester-fighters-function-better-ppv