UFC 304 LIVE RESULTS: Leon Edwards STUNNED by Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall WINS in one minute – updates
UFC 304 headed to Manchester at the brand new Co-Op Live Arena for a truly stacked card!
Leon Edwards was shocked by Belal Muhammad in the main event to lose his welterweight title, with Muhammad winning by a unanimous decision after five largely dominant rounds.
While in another rematch, Tom Aspinall stopped Curtis Blaydes with a stunning first-round KO in exactly one minute in the co-main.
Elsewhere Brit star Arnold Allen opened up the card with a win, and Paddy Pimblett choked out Bobby Green for a huge victory.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Tom Aspinall speaks
Tom Aspinall was highly critical of his performance against Curtis Bladyes, saying it was “messy”.
Edwards 'not surprised' by shock defeat
"[It's] not surprising, my body just felt tired from round one," he admitted.
"All week I've felt tired.
"Congratulations to Belal, we will be back."
Edwards promises to return this year
The Birmingham native is targeting a return to the Octagon before the end of 2024.
"One more this year, November or December I'm ready to go," he told TNT Sport.
Jon Jones next?
Aspinall looks set to step in the octagon for the undisputed UFC Heavyweight title.
Dana White confirmed the Brit will face the winner champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, who will lock horns later this year.
"Hello Jon, I have nothing against you, but I just think I'm better than you and I can beat you in a fight. I'm coming for you," said Aspinall.
AND STILL
Tom Aspinall obliterated Curtis Blaydes to defend his interim heavyweight title.
The win avenges the defeat Aspinall suffered two years ago, where he sustained a serious knee injury in the first round against Blaydes.
AND THE NEW!
Belal Muhammad has catapulted himself to superstardom after dethroning Leon Edwards via unanimous decision to become the new UFC welterweight champion.
The judges scored the contest 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
The ‘Rocky’ era at welterweight is over.
Bloody mess
Muhammad did well to survive the final round after being cut by a vicious elbow from a desperate Edwards.
Credit: Getty Belal Brutal tal To Leon
Belal Muhammad has revealed he's willing to give Leon Edwards a rematch, in three years time.
Brutal from the new champ.
Credit: Getty Brawl kicked off
A mass brawl kicked off in the expense seats moments after Belal Muhammad had his hand raised.
It's unclear what ignited the melee, which saw a chair nearly be thrown by a punter.
Tom Aspinall speaks
Tom Aspinall was highly critical of his performance against Curtis Bladyes, saying it was ";messy".
Credit: Getty Belal Muhamamd speaks
In his post-fight interview, the new welterweight king said: “It sounds like all the people booing right now got a lot of tears coming out of their eyes.
“I see you guys with watery eyes right now.
"This is for my family, for my people in Palestine.”
Credit: Getty Dana White on Leon Edwards
UFC president and CEO Dana White has shut down the prospect of Leon Edwards getting an immediate rematch.
"Let him rest, we're talking about other things right now."
More from Edwards
He said: "I'd like to get one more this year. So whenever - November or December. I'm ready to go."
Edwards reacts
A crestfallen Edwards said: "Not [was] surprising, my body just felt tired from round one.
"All week we've been feeling tired. But congrats to Belal. We'll get it back again."
Credit: Getty And new
Belal Muhammad defeats Leon Edwards via unanimous decision to become the new UFC welterweight champion.
The judges scored the contest 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
The 'Rocky' era at welterweight is over.
Edwards vs Muhammad 2 - Round 5
Edwards started the fifth and final stanza with a sense of urgency and looked to land the head kick he KO'd Kamaru Usman with just over two years ago.
Muhammad shot for another takedown soon after but it was expertly stuffed.
But he eventually took the back thanks to some beautiful chain wrestling.
Muhammad was relentless after taking the back, throwing short and annoying punches to further frustrate the champion.
Edwards manages to secure a big reversal with less than a minute to go and bloodied up Muhammad with a huge elbow.
But it's too little too late. He's lost this fight barring some incredibly bad judging.
Edwards vs Muhammad 2 - Round 4
Edwards lands a big stiff left hand flush on the chin of Muhammad shortly after the restart but the challenger takes it well.
Muhammad lands a big straight right that somewhat silences the crowd before shooting for yet another takedown.
He gets him down and takes the back one again.
Edwards tries to escape but Muhammad's body lock keeps him pinned tight.
Edwards eventually manages to roll into full guard and partially takes the back before the horn.
Credit: Reuters Edwards vs Muhammad 2 - Round 3
Edwards opens up the third round with low and high kicks but the latter doesn't find its home.
It's not long before Muhammad shoots for another takedown, which he gets.
But Edwards scrambles, gets back to his feet and manages to take the back of the challenger.
He's looking for a choke but Muhammad is defending well.
Edwards is showing great back control as he looks to work his way towards a rear-naked choke.
He keeps the position until the end of the round.
Credit: Reuters Edwards vs Muhammad 2 - Round 2
Muhammad came out aggressive again after the restart, putting the champ under yet more relentless pressure.
And he secured yet another big takedown thanks to a single leg that sent his travelling supporters wild.
Edwards briefly got back to his feet but soon found himself hoisted up in the air again before being put back down on the canvas.
Edwards works his way back to his feet but gets taken down again.
Edwards eventually manages to reverse position and momentarily takes the back before the end of the round.
Credit: Getty Edwards vs Muhammad 2 - Round 1
Chants of "Headshot dead'" immediately rang throughout the arena as the fight got underway.
And it wasn't long before Muhammad shot for a big takedown, which he secured.
Muhammad, however, wasn't able to keep him on the ground for long as Edwards got back to his feet and ended up reversing him in the clinch.
They break and Muhammad responds with a hard body kick.
Edwards has landed two hard knees to the body of the challenger that will likely pay dividends if he replicates them later in the fight.
A stiff one-two down the pipe draws a big reaction from the crowd, as does the champ's ensuing body kick.
A big takedown from Muhammad with just over 30 seconds of the round remaining.
Muhammad has him flattened out and looks to land punches from inside the guard.
Main event time
Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad II is about to go down.
Will Edwards be able to put the ghost of the American to bed once and for all?
Or will his reign as champ come to an end? We'll soon find out.
Credit: Getty
And still
Tom Aspinall has just obliterated Curtis Blaydes to defend his interim heavyweight title.
What a performance from the Wigan warrior!
Aspinall vs Bladyes 2 - Round 1
Aspinall came out light on his feet as he usual does and looked to feint his way into range.
Bladyes looked calm cool and composed as he uncorked a big right hand and followed up with a one-two.
Aspinall lands a right hand of his own and secures a clinch against teh cage, They separate and go back to the middle.
Bladyes gets dropped. Aspinall is going in for the kill. It's over!!!
Co-main event time
It's time for local lad Tom Aspinall to defend his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes.
Will he be able to exorcise the ghost of their first meeting two years ago?
We'll soon find out.
Credit: Getty Paddy Pimblett wins
Paddy Pimblett has just submitted Bobby Green via first-round triangle armbar.
Huge win for the Liverpudlian, who will be a ranked lightweight come Tuesday when the new rankings are out.
