UFC 304 in Manchester: Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad weigh in for world title fight

Britain’s Leon Edwards was fired up as he shared words with American Belal Muhammad during an intense face-off as the pair weighed in for their welterweight title bout at UFC 304 in Manchester on Saturday.

Edwards, 32, who is making the third defence of his title, weighed 170lb – one pound heavier than his 36-year-old opponent.

Edwards grabbed the microphone in both hands before addressing the passionate crowd.

“Manchester! Forget what he says. He’s too small, too slow, I’m knocking him out,” said Edwards.

The fight at the Co-op Live is a rematch of their 2021 bout, which was deemed a no-contest following an accidental eye poke from Edwards which left Muhammad unable to continue.

That bout has led to hostility between the pair, with Muhammad, who has played the villain role during fight week, embracing heavy boos from the audience.

“The rest of you guys tomorrow night, cry about it. It’s over for you guys. England is going to lose again,” said Muhammad.

The pair will make their walk to the octagon in the early hours of Sunday morning – predicted to be around 05:00 BST – with the UFC’s scheduling catering largely to a US audience.

In the co-main event, Britain’s Tom Aspinall arrived draped in an England flag to a raucous cheer in front of his home fans.

Aspinall, 31, weighed in at 251lbs before his interim heavyweight title defence against American Curtis Blaydes, who came in 5lbs heavier.

The bout is a rematch of their 2022 contest, where Aspinall seriously injured his knee leading to defeat by 33-year-old Blaydes.