UFC 304 Recap: Belal Muhammad Dethrones Leon Edwards in Manchester

UFC 304 delivered an unforgettable night of action at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester. Belal Muhammad shocked the world by defeating Leon Edwards to become the new UFC welterweight champion. The event, which ran into the early hours of Sunday morning, showcased a thrilling mix of high-stakes matchups and dramatic finishes.

Main Event: Belal Muhammad vs. Leon Edwards

In the highly anticipated main event, Belal Muhammad put on a masterclass against the defending champion, Leon Edwards. Muhammad established his dominance from the outset, scoring a takedown within seconds of the first round. He maintained control throughout the fight, outstriking Edwards and landing crucial takedowns that left the crowd stunned.

The judges scored the bout 48-47, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Muhammad, marking a significant moment in his career as he claimed the welterweight title. Post-fight, Muhammad dedicated his victory to the victims in Palestine, adding an emotional layer to his triumph.

Co-Main Event: Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes

In the co-main event, hometown hero Tom Aspinall defended his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes, finishing the fight spectacularly. Aspinall secured a knockout just one minute into the first round, sending the Manchester crowd into a frenzy. This victory sets up a highly anticipated showdown with Jon Jones for the undisputed heavyweight title.

Notable Undercard Highlights

The undercard featured several thrilling bouts, including:

• Paddy Pimblett continued to rise in the lightweight division, submitting King Green in the first round with a triangle choke. Pimblett's performance earned him a $200,000 bonus and solidified his place in the rankings.
• Arnold Allen began his journey towards a featherweight title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Giga Chikadze, showcasing his striking and grappling skills.
• Unfortunately for the local fans, Molly McCann suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Bruna Brasil, losing by unanimous decision after a tough three rounds.

Full Results

Main Card

• Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-47)
• Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes via KO (R1, 1:00)
• Paddy Pimblett def. King Green via Technical Submission (Triangle Choke, R1, 3:22)
• Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy Duncan via Unanimous Decision (30-27)
• Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Prelim Card

• Nathaniel Wood def. Daniel Pineda via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Bruna Brasil def. Molly McCann via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Jake Hadley def. Caolan Loughran via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Muhammad Mokaev def. Manel Kape via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Early Prelim Card

• Oban Elliott def. Preston Parsons via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Modestas Bukauskas def. Marcin Prachnio via Submission (Arm Triangle, R3, 3:12)
• Sam Patterson def. Kiefer Crosbie via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke, R1, 2:50)
• Mick Parkin def. Lukasz Brzeski via KO (R1, 3:23)
• Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean via Split Decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)

Final Round

UFC 304 was filled with drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. Belal Muhammad's victory over Leon Edwards will be remembered as a pivotal moment in UFC history. At the same time, Tom Aspinall's quick finish solidified his status as a top contender in the heavyweight division. With several fighters making statements, the future of the welterweight and heavyweight divisions looks incredibly promising.