It was officially confirmed on Wednesday that the UFC is to return to Manchester this summer for a numbered pay-per-view event — but some fans aren’t happy at the announced start time for the event.
In line with the UFC’s start time for events in the United States, the UFC 304 card will begin at 11pm local time — with the pay-per-view portion beginning at 3am, meaning that fans and fighters alike will be faced with some inhospitable hours at the event.
And soon after the announcement, several fans took to social media to express their disappointment at the timing of the event.
“Absolutely no point bringing the UFC back to the UK if the prelims start at 11pm & the main card at 3am,” wrote on fan on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “May as well keep 304 in Vegas.”
“A 3 am main card in England is f*cking ridiculous,” wrote another. “What’s the point?”
“A main card beginning at 3am, to suit the US, is beyond a slap in the face, it’s more like a kick to the balls,” said a third.
UFC 204, an event also held in Manchester which featured Michael Bisping defending his middleweight title in a rematch against Dan Henderson, also began at 3am back in October 2016. Despite this, the card sold out in a matter of minutes amid a very high demand for tickets. The main event began at 4:50am local time.
It is expected that tickets for the UFC 304, which go on sale at 10am on June 7, will also move quickly.
No fights have as yet been announced for UFC 304, though it is expected to feature British champions Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall fighting in their home country.
