UFC 304s crazy start time forces custom sleep schedules so Manchester fighters can function better [Video]

Fight fans are happy to know that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is returning to Manchester, England, to stage UFC 304 tomorrow night (Sat., July 27, 2024) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Co-op Live arena, but the time difference is throwing everything off.

Since tomorrow’s event is an official PPV featuring two title fights and the Octagon return of rising star Paddy Pimblett, the promotion needed to keep its standard start time for the main card. That means a usual start time of 10 p.m. ET here in the United States, but that equates to a 3 a.m. (Sunday) start time from Manchester.

It’s a hefty price to pay to compete in front of the English fans, but that leaves guys like UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall set to defend their titles in the wee hours of the morning. Most fighters are not used to getting into a fist fight at 5 a.m. so it’s …