Peter Maiorano

UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad – Aspinall vs. Blaydes

UFC 304 will take place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, on Saturday, July 27. The main event features a welterweight title rematch between hometown hero Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad. Unfinished business between the two will be settled as their prior meeting ended in a no contest due to an eye poke.

The co-main event brings another dose of excitement as heavyweights Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes lock horns once more, this time with the interim heavyweight title on the line. Aspinall, representing Manchester, England, aims to avenge his previous loss to Blaydes and grab the strap in front of a roaring home crowd.

The main card also includes lightweights Bobby Green versus Paddy Pimblett and middleweights Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues. The UFC 304 main card opener should be a banger with Arnold Allen against Giga Chikadze in a featherweight bout.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 13: (L-R) Leon Edwards of Jamaica accidentally pokes the eye of Bulal Muhammad in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad

Leon Edwards

  • Record: 22-3 (1 NC)
  • Fighting Out Of: Birmingham, England
  • Style: Well-rounded, strong striking and grappling, known for his technical skills
  • Recent Fights:
    o Colby Covington (December 16, 2023) – Win by UD
    o Kamaru Usman (March 18, 2023) – Win by MD
    o Kamaru Usman (August 20, 2022) – Win by KO

Belal Muhammad

  • Record: 23-3 (1 NC)
  • Fighting Out Of: Chicago, Illinois
  • Style: Well-rounded, with a strong focus on pressure fighting and high pace
  • Recent Fights:
    o Gilbert Burns (May 6, 2023) – Win by UD
    o Sean Brady (October 22, 2022) – Win by TKO
    o Vincente Luque (April 16, 2022) – Win by UD

Matchup Analysis

Striking

  • Edwards: Technical striker with good defensive skills.
  • Muhammad: Striker with high volume.

Grappling

  • Edwards: Strong grappler with good defensive wrestling.
  • Muhammad: Effective wrestler with good takedowns and top control.

X-Factor

  • Edwards: Composure under pressure and ability to adapt his game plan mid-fight.
  • Muhammad: Relentless pace can wear down opponents over the course of a fight.

Recent Common Opponents

None.

Prediction

Both fighters bring well-rounded skill sets to the octagon. If Edwards can maintain his distance and use his technical striking, he has a good chance of winning by decision. If Muhammad can impose his relentless pace and pressure, along with effective wrestling, he could grind out a decision victory. Ultimately, Edwards’ ability to adapt and his composure under pressure give him the edge, leading to a decision win.

UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad - Aspinall vs. Blaydes
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 23: Tom Aspinall of England gets injured in the first round of his Heavyweight bout against Curtis Blaydes of USA during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena on July 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes

Tom Aspinall

  • Record: 14-3
  • Fighting Out Of: Manchester, England
  • Style: Well-rounded fighter with strong striking and grappling skills
  • Recent Fights:
    o Sergei Pavlovich (November 11, 2023) – Win by KO
    o Marcin Tybura (July 22, 2023) – Win by TKO
    o Curtis Blaydes (July 23, 2022) – Loss by TKO

Curtis Blaydes

  • Record: 18-4 (1 NC)
  • Fighting Out Of: Chicago, Illinois
  • Style: Wrestler with powerful ground-and-pound
  • Recent Fights:
    o Jailton Almeida (March 9, 2024) – Win by KO
    o Sergei Pavlovich (April 22, 2023) – Loss by TKO
    o Tom Aspinall (July 23, 2022) – Win by TKO

Matchup Analysis

Striking

  • Aspinall: Technical striker with knockout power and excellent movement.
  • Blaydes: Solid striking with powerful punches, but primarily known for his wrestling.

Grappling

  • Aspinall: Well-rounded grappling skills with submission proficiency.
  • Blaydes: Dominant wrestler with effective takedowns and ground-and-pound.

X-Factor

  • Aspinall: Stays composed while capitalizing on striking opportunities and avoiding takedowns.
  • Blaydes: Ability to impose his wrestling game and neutralize striking.

Recent Common Opponents:

  • Sergei Pavlovich:
    o Tom Aspinall: Faced Sergei Pavlovich on November 11, 2023, and won by KO.
    o Curtis Blaydes: Fought Sergei Pavlovich on April 22, 2023, and lost by TKO.
  • Alexander Volkov:
    o Tom Aspinall: Faced Alexander Volkov on March 19, 2022, and won by Submission.
    o Curtis Blaydes: Fought Alexander Volkov on June 20, 2020, and won by UD.

Prediction

Clash of styles. Aspinall will aim to use his striking and movement to avoid Blaydes’ takedowns, while Blaydes will look to impose his wrestling and ground-and-pound. If Aspinall can keep the fight standing and utilize his speed and technical striking, he has a good chance of winning by KO or decision. However, if Blaydes can secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground, he could win by TKO or decision. Ultimately, Aspinall’s attempts to get the early win fails, leading to a huge upset. Blaydes takes home the interim championship with a TKO victory in the second round.

UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad - Aspinall vs. Blaydes
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 26: (L-R) Opponents King Green and Paddy Pimblett of England face off during the UFC 304 ceremonial weigh-in at Co-op Live on July 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett

Bobby Green

  • Record: 32-15-1
  • Fighting Out Of: Fontana, California
  • Style: Unorthodox striking with solid wrestling and grappling skills
  • Recent Fights:
    o Jim Miller (April 13, 2024) – Win by UD
    o Jalin Turner (December 2, 2023) – Loss by KO
    o Grant Dawson (October 7, 2023) – Win by KO

Paddy Pimblett

  • Record: 21-3
  • Fighting Out Of: Liverpool, England
  • Style: Aggressive striking with strong grappling and submission skills
  • Recent Fights:
    o Tony Ferguson (December 16, 2023) – Win by UD
    o Jared Gordon (December 10, 2022) – Win by UD
    o Jordan Leavitt (July 23, 2022) – Win by Submission

Matchup Analysis

Striking

  • Green: Unorthodox striking style, a mix of boxing and unique angles.
  • Pimblett: Aggressive striking style with heavy hands.

Grappling

  • Green: Solid wrestling base with effective grappling.
  • Pimblett: Strong grappling and submission game.

X-Factor

  • Green: Experience and ability to remain calm under pressure.
  • Pimblett: Youthful energy and finishing ability both on the feet and on the ground.

Recent Common Opponents:

  • Jared Gordon:
    o Bobby Green: Faced Jared Gordon on April 22, 2023, resulting in a No Contest.
    o Paddy Pimblett: Fought Jared Gordon on December 10, 2023, and won by UD.

Prediction

Clash of styles and experience. If Green can use his experience and unorthodox striking to keep the fight standing, he has a good chance of winning by decision. If Pimblett can take the fight to the ground and utilize his grappling, he could secure a submission victory. Ultimately, Green’s experience and composure may give him the edge in a close and exciting bout, leading to a decision win.

UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad - Aspinall vs. Blaydes
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 26: (L-R) Opponents Arnold Allen of England and Giga Chikadze of Georgia face off during the UFC 304 ceremonial weigh-in at Co-op Live on July 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze

Arnold Allen

  • Record: 19-3
  • Fighting Out Of: Suffolk, England
  • Style: Well-rounded fighter with strong striking and grappling skills
  • Recent Fights:
    o Movsar Evloev (January 20, 2024) – Loss by UD
    o Max Holloway (April 15, 2023) – Loss by UD
    o Calvin Kattar (October 29, 2022) – Win by TKO

Giga Chikadze

  • Record: 15-3
  • Fighting Out Of: Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Style: Primarily a striker with a strong kickboxing background
  • Recent Fights:
    o Alex Caceres (August 26, 2023) – Win by UD
    o Calvin Kattar (January 15, 2022) – Loss by UD
    o Edson Barboza (August 28, 2021) – Win by TKO

Matchup Analysis

Striking

  • Allen: Known for his technical striking and effective combinations.
  • Chikadze: Kickboxing specialist with powerful kicks and dynamic striking.

Grappling

  • Allen: Strong grappling and submission skills.
  • Chikadze: Primarily focuses on striking, with limited grappling.

X-Factor

  • Allen: Ability to mix striking and grappling effectively.
  • Chikadze: Striking power and ability to keep the fight standing.

Recent Common Opponents:

  • Calvin Kattar:
    o Arnold Allen: Fought Calvin Kattar on October 29, 2022, and won by TKO.
    o Giga Chikadze: Faced Calvin Kattar on January 15, 2022, and lost by UD.

Prediction

This fight is expected to be standing most of the way. Allen’s well-rounded game and ability to mix striking with grappling could give him an edge if he can avoid Chikadze’s powerful kicks and keep the fight on his terms. Chikadze’s striking and knockout power pose a significant threat if he can dictate the pace. Ultimately, Allen’s versatility and ability to adapt in the fight will lead him to an early knockout.

Thank you for reading my UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad – Aspinall vs. Blaydes article. Without a doubt, our combat sports page is your premier destination for all things fighting. Head to my Pete’s Sports UFC Page and follow me on Twitter/X. For MMA/Boxing and all other sports articles check out Pete’s Sports Blog. Please go to my You Tube Channel where you can subscribe to my videos. Images credit Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

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