UFC 304 LIVE: Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad & Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes - text updates

Summary

UFC champion Leon Edwards dethroned by Belal Muhammad in Manchester
Birmingham's Edwards outclassed over five rounds by challenger
Judges score fight 48-47, 48-47 & 49-46 for Muhammad
Tom Aspinall stops American Curtis Blaydes in one round to retain his interim heavyweight title
Aspinall needed just 60 seconds to secure 12th knockout of his career
Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett submits Bobby Green in first-round win
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Live Reporting

Bobbie Jackson and Jonty Colman

That's all folks!published at 06:28 British Summer Time 28 July
Image source, Getty Images
A mixed night/morning at Co-op Live in Manchester for an event which promised so much.
I think we can all agree that Paddy Pimblett delivered with a submission win against Bobby Green and a spot in the lightweight rankings awaits the Liverpudlian.
As ever, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall left us all in awe and gave me a much-needed adrenaline boost at just after 05:00 BST.
Who fancies Jon Jones next for the interim champ?
It wasn't to be for Leon Edwards, though, as he made history by becoming the first UK fighter to have three defences of a UFC title but unfortunately it didn't end in success.
Belal Muhammad's class came to the fore as Edwards struggled with his wrestling and we have a new king of the welterweight division.
Time for bed?
I think we've earned it.
Should there be a rematch?published at 06:26 British Summer Time 28 July
Leon Edwards will be licking his wounds for some time. Do we think he deserves a rematch?
Would he have a chance against Belal Muhammad after that display?
Thumbs up if you'd back Edwards in the rematch, thumbs down if you're team Muhammad.
Fight in pictures...published at 06:26 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards lost his groove tonight. But Muhammad found his crown.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 06:25 British Summer Time 28 July
It's been a long journey to UFC champion for Belal Muhammad. You can see what it means to him too.
He improves his record to 24 wins, three losses and one no-contest. He has not lost a fight since 2019.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
'We will be back'published at 06:23 British Summer Time 28 July
Leon Edwards on TNT Sports: "Not surprising, my body just felt tired from round one. All week I've felt tired. Congratulations to Belal, we will be back."
How long do you need before you return to the octagon?: "One more this year, November or December I'm ready to go."
Image source, Getty Images
'Doubt me now'published at 06:20 British Summer Time 28 July
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'A lot people have tears coming out of their eyes'published at 06:19 British Summer Time 28 July
New welterweight champion Belal Muhammad to TNT Sports: "It sounds like all of the people booing have got a lot of tears coming out of their eyes. I've got my family in here. God first, always. This fight is for my family, my people and for Palestine.
"I got the best team in the world, we study to the core, we get better. We've got the best strikers, these guys are killers. You might not know there names, but we've got a real champion in Chicago now.
"I'm Belal Muhammad. I'm my own man. Now the world sees it, they've got to respect it.
"Ian Larios needs to make me something unhealthy, I've only eaten healthy for six weeks."
Image source, Getty Images
'Dominant performance'published at 06:18 British Summer Time 28 July
Muhammad beats Edwards by unanimous decision
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on X: "Congratulations Belal Muhammad."
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo on X: "Congrats to Belal for sticking to his game plan and having a dominant performance!"
Remember the name?published at 06:15 British Summer Time 28 July
Muhammad beats Edwards by unanimous decision
It appears commentator and former UFC two-weight champion Daniel Cormier has forgotten the name of Belal 'Remember The Name' Muhammad.
As he ends his interview with the new welterweight champion he wishes congratulations to Leon 'Rocky' Edwards.
Yikes.
Postpublished at 06:13 British Summer Time 28 July
Muhammad beats Edwards by unanimous decision
Fair cards in my opinion.
Edwards never found his rhythm. He had moments but was out-wrestled for large periods of that contest.
That's 10 wins from Muhammad's last 11 trips to the octagon - the only exception was the no-contest in the first meeting with Edwards.
Muhammad is speaking now. We'll bring his full interview to you.
And new...published at 06:10 British Summer Time 28 July
Breaking
Muhammad beats Edwards by unanimous decision
Belal Muhammad is the new UFC welterweight champion.
The judges all scored it in Muhammad's favour.
48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
Postpublished at 06:09 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards v Muhammad
Michael Bisping
Former UFC middleweight champion on TNT Sport
A very impressive performance, Belal Muhammad has done exactly what he set out to do tonight. The gash from that elbow might have stole that round. There might be a discussion for the first round, it's going to be a close one.
More than likely, Belal Muhammad takes the title, but we will see.
Postpublished at 06:09 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards v Muhammad
This is going to be a tense wait for the scorecards.
Edwards struggled for large periods with Muhammad's wrestling.
I feel he took round three and maybe did enough damage late in round five to pick that up too.
Round 5published at 06:07 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards v Muhammad
There goes the buzzer.
A lot of damage done in the final 40 seconds by Edwards.
It was that act of desperation.
He may have taken that round on damage alone.
Could we be heading for a draw????
Round 5published at 06:06 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards v Muhammad
Edwards get the reverse and top control.
He's trying to posture up. He reins down with elbows and Muhammad is cut and bleeding heavily.
He's in half guard.
Can he advance?
Postpublished at 06:06 British Summer Time 28 July
Gareth Bailey
BBC Sport at the Co-op Live, Manchester
Belal Muhammad applies yet another hold and he is draining the air out of the room as much as he is Leon Edwards.
Postpublished at 06:06 British Summer Time 28 July
Daniel Cormier
Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT Sports
Tonight, Belal has made Leon Edwards fight on his terms. But, I'm never counting out Leon Edwards.
Round 5published at 06:06 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards v Muhammad
We have a minute left and Muhammad is closing in on becoming the new welterweight champion.
Fans are leaving before fight endspublished at 06:05 British Summer Time 28 July
Manvir Rai
BBC Sport at the Co-op Live
With two minutes to go in round five, and Muhammad in control, hundreds of fans are heading for the exit.
Postpublished at 06:05 British Summer Time 28 July
Edwards v Muhammad
Michael Bisping
Former UFC middleweight champion on TNT Sport
Belal is doing what he needs to do to win this fighting. Leon is one tiny error away from losing his belt.