“Scrap at 5am” – Tom Aspinall ‘yawns’ at UFC’s decision to make Manchester PPV card around US timings troubling local UK crowd

Tom Aspinall is not a fan of fighting at 3 am in his UFC 304 bout at Manchester.

“Scrap at 5am” – Tom Aspinall ‘yawns’ at UFC’s decision to make Manchester PPV card around US timings troubling local UK crowd

Tom Aspinall is not pleased to fight at three in the morning in Manchester (via Imago/ Instagram)

The UFC’s return to England for UFC 304 in Manchester this July had fans buzzing with excitement. However, the promotion’s decision on timing for the blockbuster pay-per-view has left many British supporters feeling pretty disgruntled. The interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, also had similar feelings about it.

The UFC has scheduled the main card start time for 3 am in the United Kingdom. That’s 10 pm ET stateside. This is UFC’s traditional PPV start time aimed at maximizing American viewership. Tom Aspinall was not thrilled about this announcement. He took to Instagram to upload a yawning picture with the caption:

When you find out you have to have a scrap with someone at 5am.

Tom Aspinall via Instagram
YouTube video

This is not the first time that the UFC has implemented these timings in the UK. Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson at UFC 204 saw the same timings. The UFC’s stance is understandable from a business perspective. The US market remains by far their biggest revenue source. But it’s a tough pill to swallow for passionate British MMA diehards who’ve waited for a major event. It is an even longer night for fight fans making the trek to the Co-op Live arena.

FS Video

Tom Aspinall’s opponent for his first interim title defense hasn’t yet been revealed. Rumors placed his opponent as either Ciryl Gane or Curtis Blaydes. The other fights on the card are still being booked. Rumors suggest welterweight champ Leon Edwards might headline the card.

UK fans might get Tom Aspinall and Leon Edwards on the same card

Leon Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell, recently shared some news regarding Edwards’ next title defense. He revealed that this will come against Belal Muhammad this summer in Manchester. That matchup for UFC 304 is a virtual certainty in Lovell’s eyes.

Uk fans might witness two title fights at UFC 304
Uk fans might witness two title fights at UFC 304 (via DAZN)

Speaking to talkSPORT recently, the renowned MMA coach revealed he was very confident that Leon Edwards will face Muhammad in the UFC’s long-awaited return to England. Lovell expected his student to begin a full 12-week training camp to prepare for Belal Muhammad.

I think it will be Belal next. It’s not written in stone, but 99.9 percent [of me] thinks it will be Belal. Leon is looking forward to the July bill. He starts his camp next week, for a 12-week camp, and we are sharpening up our tools to deal with Mr. Belal.

Dave Lovell via talkSPORT

Lovell seemed to relish the stylistic matchup with the grinding Muhammad. He envisioned the challenger trying to negate Edwards’ slick boxing by pursuing relentless grappling and clinch work. Edwards has recent experience dealing with Muhammad’s style. They fought a controversial no-contest back in 2021 after an eye-poke from the Brit rendered the Palestinian-American unable to continue.

In case you missed it: