Edwards & Aspinall serenaded by 2,500 strong UFC crowd

British champions Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall were cheered on by a passionate crowd in Manchester as they spoke to the media before their title defences against American opponents at UFC 304 on Saturday.

Birmingham's Edwards is set to defend his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad, while Aspinall will put his interim heavyweight belt on the line against Curtis Blaydes at the Co-op Live arena in his home city of Manchester.

Some 2,500 fans came into the arena to serenade their champions, with their US opponents heavily booed, drowning out their responses to questions.

During the face-offs, Edwards, 32, and Muhammad, 36, had to be separated by security as tensions threatened to boil over as the pair traded goading gestures.

"When has he ever tortured anybody? This guy's deluded," said Edwards.

"Just another guy in the way. I'm chasing greatness. He's another opponent in the way. He's too slow. You're getting knocked out."

But just as he has throughout fight week, Muhammad embraced the boos, playing the role of the villain as he warned the crowd they would be Edwards' "alarm clock" on Saturday when he stops the champion, while giving a shout out to Spain in reference to the nation's Euro 2024 final win over England.

The fight 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 contest has led to hostility between the pair, with Edwards dismissive of Muhammad's skills and the American feeling disrespected by the Briton not agreeing to an imminent rematch.

Edwards is unbeaten in 13 bouts and will be making the third defence of his belt against Muhammad, who is on a nine-fight win streak.

It is the first sporting event to take place at the 23,500-capacity Co-Op Live arena since its opening in May, but the event starts at 23:00 BST to cater to the American audience.

Aspinall beams in front of home fans

In contrast to Edwards and Muhammad, Aspinall and Blaydes have paid respect to each other during fight week, even sharing a hug during a chance meeting at their hotel, and this was mirrored at the news conference during a civil face-off.

The bout is also a rematch, with Aspinall, 31, seriously injuring his knee two years ago which led to defeat by the 33-year-old Blaydes.

In front of his home fans, Aspinall, like Edwards, soaked up the adoration, sporting a big grin as fans sung "Tommy Aspinall".

"Curtis is good everywhere. I am not underestimating this guy," said Aspinall.

"This is the first between the two best heavyweights in the world. This guy is legit."

During the conference, UFC president Dana White confirmed the winner would face the victor of the title bout between Americans Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

It is a rare move by the UFC to slate Aspinall to defend his interim belt, with heavyweight champion Jon Jones pencilled in to face Miocic later this year.

Jones and Miocic were meant to fight in November but Jones pulled out after seriously injuring his shoulder.

That led to Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich stepping in on just 17 days notice for the interim title, with the Briton winning inside 69 seconds.

Aspinall has called for a unification bout with Jones on multiple occasions over the past eight months but the American, and the UFC, remain intent on rescheduling the Miocic bout.