The pinnacle of MMA action returns to the UK this weekend as bet365, the exclusive ‘Official Betting Partner’ of UFC in the UK and Ireland, gears up for a thrilling fight night featuring title defenses by Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall.

UFC 304: Co-Main Event: Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes

In the co-main event of UFC 304, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will face off against veteran contender Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall, favored to win, is determined to solidify his status in the heavyweight division after a knee injury cut their previous bout short. This rematch is crucial for both fighters, with Aspinall aiming to retain his UFC Interim Heavyweight title and exorcise any lingering doubts from their last encounter.

The interim title defense is a rare occurrence in the UFC heavyweight division, marking only the third time an interim champion will defend their belt. As the division awaits Jon Jones’ next move, Aspinall refuses to remain idle and welcomes the 3/1 underdog Blaydes back to England.

Their first fight ended abruptly in under 20 seconds when Aspinall suffered a severe knee injury, resulting in a torn MCL, meniscus, and damage to his ACL. Despite the TKO win awarded to Blaydes, he has downplayed the victory, recognizing the unfortunate circumstances.

Since then, Aspinall has used the setback to refocus and enhance his skills, preparing to right past wrongs in front of his home crowd. He aims to solidify his case for a fight with the current UFC Heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.

While Blaydes is the underdog, his exceptional wrestling skills mean a submission win at 22/1 or a stoppage win at 9/2 are not out of the question. Aspinall, the champion for a reason, is favored for a KO, TKO, or DQ win in under 1.5 rounds, which might be worth considering at 11/8 odds.

bet365 Bet Boosts:

• Under 1.5 Rounds + Method of Victory: Tom Aspinall by KO, TKO, or DQ @ 11/8
• Under 2.5 Rounds + Fight Result: Curtis Blaydes by KO, TKO, DQ, or Submission @ 11/2

Bet £10 on the octagon action at UFC 300 and get £30 in Free Bets* – T&Cs Apply  

UFC 304: King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett

UFC 304 is set to feature a highly anticipated clash between King Green and Paddy Pimblett at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. Formerly known as Bobby Green, King Green has become a fan favorite due to his resilience and overcoming personal tragedies, including growing up in the foster system. At 37, Green remains a formidable competitor, having won three of his last four fights. His rivalry with Paddy Pimblett, who is undefeated since his UFC debut, adds an extra layer of excitement to this matchup.

With this being the last fight on his current UFC contract, Paddy Pimblett faces a significant challenge against Top 15 opponent King Green. Green is the 4/5 favorite for this fight, justified by his extensive professional experience compared to the Liverpool lightweight.

Pimblett has made a significant impact in the UFC, both inside and outside the octagon. He stands at 1/1 in this closely contested fight, aiming to defeat the American and take his ranking spot. Despite this being the last fight on his contract, Pimblett plans to enhance his reputation in Manchester. With seven consecutive wins, he has become a globally recognized athlete in MMA but must now fulfill his promise of knocking Green out, with odds set at 6/1.

The experienced Green presents a tough challenge, having secured his last three wins via decision, KO, and submission. The fight is expected to finish inside the distance at 6/5. Ranked #15 in the UFC lightweight division, Green has little to gain from fighting the unranked Pimblett, but silencing the Brit has been pinpointed as his biggest motivator.

bet365 Bet Boosts:

• To Win Fight : Paddy Pimblett, Tom Aspinall and Leon Edwards 2.9/1

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad – The UFC 304 Main Event

The main event of UFC 304 will feature Leon Edwards defending his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad. Edwards, renowned for his technical prowess and cautious fighting style, has remained unbeaten since December 2015. In contrast, Muhammad is making his first title fight appearance, bringing a wrestling-centric approach to the octagon.

bet365 BET BOOSTS:

Leon Edwards to Win by KO, TKO or DQ + Under 2.5 Rounds @ 9/2

Under 3.5 Rounds + Fight Result : Belal Muhammad by KO,TKO, DQ or Submission @ 9/1

This bout is a rematch of their previous encounter, which ended prematurely due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards, resulting in a no-contest. At that time, Edwards was dominating the fight. Now, with the UFC Welterweight title at stake, this highly anticipated main event is set to be filled with animosity and intense competition.

Three years have passed since their initial bout, with tensions escalating through numerous heated exchanges. Muhammad, who has secured five victories since their last fight, enters this bout as a 2/1 underdog, determined to dethrone the current champion.

Despite Muhammad’s impressive streak, Edwards boasts an even more formidable record. His spectacular head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight title remains a career highlight. Edwards, favored at 2/5 to retain his title, has not lost a fight in nearly a decade, maintaining a 13-fight undefeated streak.

This rematch raises a crucial question: Will Edwards confirm that Muhammad’s escape in their previous fight was fortuitous, or will Muhammad prove his mettle by defeating Edwards and becoming the new welterweight champion?

View all the latest UFC 304 Odds and Boosts here

MMA Rule Changes: Downed Fighter Definition, 12-to-6 Elbow Strikes

The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) has made two significant changes to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), effective November 1. The first change eliminates the ban on 12-to-6 elbow strikes, a rule that has been a subject of controversy for years. This rule change is particularly relevant for fighters like Jon Jones, the current UFC heavyweight champion, who was disqualified in a 2009 bout against Matt Hamill for using this strike. Jones has since requested that his record be amended to reflect an undefeated status.

The second change revises the definition of a “downed fighter.” Under the new rule, a fighter is considered grounded when any part of their body, excluding the hands or feet, is in contact with the canvas. This change aims to clarify the rules and eliminate the ambiguity that has often led to controversial decisions in the past.

These rule changes represent a significant step forward for the sport of MMA, as they address long-standing issues that have been a source of debate among fighters, fans, and officials.

Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters Since 2000

ESPN has released a ranking of the top 10 women’s MMA fighters since 2000, highlighting the evolution of women’s MMA. Amanda Nunes tops the list, known for her dominant victories and being a two-division champion. Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, and Valentina Shevchenko also feature prominently, each having made significant contributions to the sport.

Amanda Nunes: The Lioness

Amanda Nunes is celebrated as the consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter. She retired in 2023 after an illustrious career, having defeated every legitimate title challenger at 135 and 145 pounds. Her dominant victory over Ronda Rousey in 2016 remains one of the most memorable moments in women’s MMA.

Cris Cyborg: The Fearsome Champion

Cris Cyborg is the current Bellator women’s featherweight champion and has held titles in UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta. Known for her fearsome presence, Cyborg went on a 21-fight unbeaten run after losing her debut fight. She remains a dominant force in women’s MMA.

Ronda Rousey: The Pioneer

Ronda Rousey was the inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight champion and played a pivotal role in bringing women’s MMA to the forefront. Her Olympic judo background and unstoppable armbar submission made her a massive celebrity and a trailblazer for female fighters.

Valentina Shevchenko: The Technical Master

Valentina Shevchenko is a seven-time defending UFC flyweight champion, known for her dedication to martial arts excellence. Despite being undersized at bantamweight, she competed closely against Amanda Nunes and has dominated the flyweight division.

Joanna Jędrzejczyk: The Confident Striker

Joanna Jędrzejczyk is a former UFC strawweight champion with six title bout wins. Known for her confidence and memorable bouts, she made a significant impact by defeating inaugural champ Carla Esparza and defending her title five times consecutively.

Rose Namajunas: The Evolving Champion

Rose Namajunas is a two-time UFC strawweight champion and the first woman to regain a championship after losing it. Known for her striking skills, Namajunas has notable victories over Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili. She is currently competing in the flyweight division, aiming to become a two-division champion.

Zhang Weili: The Physical Powerhouse

Zhang Weili is a two-time UFC strawweight champion and the best mixed martial artist from China. Known for her physical style and heart, she has an impressive record since joining the UFC in 2018 and may pursue another championship before retiring.

Miesha Tate: The Resilient Fighter

Miesha Tate is a former women’s bantamweight champion in both UFC and Strikeforce. Known for her resilience and memorable fights, Tate played a significant role in building women’s MMA, despite often being seen as the B-side in her rivalry with Ronda Rousey.

Megumi Fujii: The Forgotten Legend

Megumi Fujii was undefeated in her first 22 pro fights and is regarded as a forgotten legend due to injuries cutting short her career. Known for her brilliant wrestling skills, Fujii never obtained championship gold but remains a significant figure in women’s MMA history.

Holly Holm: The Upset Queen

Holly Holm is a former UFC bantamweight champion and a three-division boxing champion. Known for recording one of the biggest upsets by defeating Ronda Rousey for the title, Holm remains active at age 42 with high aspirations.