UFC 304 turned out to be one of the most underwhelming events of 2024. Despite the packed fight card, 9/14 fights ended via decision. The lack of finishes didn’t stop the UK crowd from providing a wild atmosphere with non-stop cheering and hooting. However, many fans fell asleep during the card due to the unusual timings.
Due to the bizarre timings, all fighters had to get accustomed to fighting early in the morning. UFC featherweight Arnold Allen fought GigaChikadze at UFC 304 and won via unanimous decision. However, he had to endure a lot to prepare for the early morning fights. Recently, Allen revealed how it affected his sleep, which resulted in him crashing his car a few days before the fight.
I underslept that day because my team, there was an event that night and people were fighting. So I had to train and spar earlier. I was driving home half asleep and I spun my car out, and crashed it into a barrier somewhere. That was on the way home after my last sparring. I was so tired, and it was pretty scary, facing the wrong way on the motorway
Arnold Allen via his Youtube channel
The main reason behind the unusual timings was to cater to the US audience who bought most of the PPVs. During the post-fight presser, Dana White was angry because of the lack of finishes in the fight. White also mentioned that the UK crowd was unbelievable and the UFC would like to hold multiple PPVs a year. However, the CEO thinks nothing can be done about the timings for UK-based cards.
Ahead of UFC 304, many fighters complained about unusual timings of the fight. While Leon Edwards got a sleep coach to help him, Tom Aspinall allegedly dipped his knuckles in petrol. While it worked for some, for many, it didn’t, and it allegedly affected their fights. For Edwards, it turned out to be his worst night for a long time now.
Coach blames Dana White for Leon Edwards’ loss
Leon Edwards was scheduled to defend his UFC welterweight title for the third time against Belal Muhammad. Going into the fight, Edwards was the fan favorite, but he looked helpless as Muhammad dominated him for five rounds at UFC 304. In the octagon interview, the Brit mentioned that he didn’t feel good during the fight and failed to execute the plan.
Leon Edwards and Dana White (via Imago/X)
After the fight, during an interview, Edwards’ coach, David Lovell, had various excuses lined up which allegedly impacted the fighter’s performance. According to Lovell, ‘Rocky’ was suffering from back injuries throughout the fight camp. On top of it, the coach mentioned the unusual timings set by Dana White also played in Edwards’ loss.
Well you tell me whichever fighter have you seen in his own country come out at half past five a.m. in the morning to fight. Realistically you know it’s a joke really. Belal never really had to adjust because his clock is to the time of what we were fighting to.
Dave Lovell via Submission Radio
Unlike Edwards, other British superstars, including Tom Aspinall, Arnold Allen, and Paddy Pimblett picked up dominating victories over their opponents. Many fans and fighters complained about the bizarre timings of UK PPVs. It would be interesting to see whether White reconsiders his decision and makes some changes in the next outing in the UK.
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