Just 24 hours away from one of the most loaded events of the year, UFC’s return to Manchester is getting as violent as ever! UFC 304 gets underway tomorrow night. Ahead of which, Friday’s weigh-ins at the Co-Op Live got quite heated. Top bill players Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad exchanged words. Meanwhile, the Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape scrap is already taking shape backstage!
Early weigh-ins took shape at the UFC Host Hotel in Manchester, England this Friday. The UFC 304 ceremonial weigh-ins began at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) at Co-Op Live, the weekend’s fight venue. After the scales, current champ Edwards and Mummad went face-to-face again. Yet again, the English welterweight tried punking him with a punch too close. Muhammad maintained nerves and gestured a “headshot.”
All-time mediator Dana White separated them, along with some heavy-duty security personnel. At yesterday’s UFC 304 Official pre-fight conference, Leon Edwards and title challenger Belal Muhammad had their initial staredowns. ‘Rocky’ tried to punk and lunge at the opponent while the rival stayed calm. Yet the 54-year-old Dana White was on his vigilant behavior.
The Palestinian-American and No. 2-ranked welterweight has taken things on a personal level with the current champion. Snubbed from the action for too long, Muhammad consequently plans to give it his all. Both men are locking in after making weight and ready to battle. Elsewhere, though, Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape are throwing their hands early.
Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev can’t even make it to staredown
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, and others faced off against their opponents at UFC 304 ceremonial weigh-ins. A title grudge rematch years in the making, some tensions arose between the event headliners. Elsewhere, flyweight contenders Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev also took part in their own scuffle.
Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape go at it at UFC 304 staredowns (Source: X/thespun.com)Mokaev’s (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) flyweight bout went from went from Saturday’s UFC 304 main card to featured late prelims. Now, it’s even further down the ladder at early prelims. Mokaev, 23, says he is active and willing to fight anyone, but maybe fans do not deem him worthy as a main card attraction.
Secondly — he thinks the contentious Kape was a 50-50, with the off-chance he might not make weight or cause trouble. There’s also that, according to Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick, Kape got to pose for a photo with Mokaev “for the Muslim brothers.” Kape agreed. The next moment, “Starboy” allegedly saw the wrath from Mokaev’s camp in a hotel brawl.
Tension was high between the duo while Mokaev approached for the final staredown; just a spring in his step set the opponent off the rails! Security personnel rushed the duo apart as best they could. While escorted out backstage, Mokaev’s side started throwing bottles for the premature violence earlier. All in all, this fight will be the one to wait for.
