The UFC will return to UK shores on July 27, with UFC 304 set to take place at the Co-op Live Arena.
The announcement was made across the promotion’s social media channels on Wednesday morning (April 24) but no bouts have been officially confirmed. Speculation surrounding the date and the venue for the card has been rife for some time, as talks of their return to the UK were confirmed by Dana White when he spoke to Adam Catterall for TNT Sports.
Following the announcement of the return to Manchester, UFC President and CEO Dana White said:
“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester. And no better time than this summer. We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”
UFC 304 will see the Co-op Live host their first sporting event. The new venue is the UK’s largest and most sustainable live entertainment arena. Co-op Live Executive Director & General Manager, Gary Roden said:
“With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase. Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and caliber as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”
One man who could likely feature is UFC Welterweight champion, Leon Edwards. Speaking on talkSPORT MMA at OKTAGON 56 over the weekend Edwards’ coach Dave Lovell discussed who he believes the champion could face if he does make the walk in Manchester.
“The UFC is over here in July so no doubt Leon will be on that bill. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make the 300 bill for whatever reasons, the lads’ name was put to him Shavkat, Khamzat and Islam and they were all fasting. We were ready to go but it is what it is so because he wasn’t on the 300 bill, no doubt there’s a big Muslim contingency in England, in Manchester, so I think it will be Belal. It is not written in stone but 99.9% I think it will be Belal.”
It will be a late night for those in attendance, with the prelims starting at 11pm & main card starting at 3am. Tickets go on sale on Friday June 7, with UFC Fight Club Members being able to purchase tickets on June 5.
