The champ is waiting...

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In tonight's UFC heavyweight interim title bout between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes, Aspinall goes in as the taller fighter, while Blaydes has the longer reach.

Blaydes has five more career fights and four more wins to his name than Aspinall.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Battison
BBC Sport at the Co-op Live, Manchester

I've been waiting for a fighter to walk out to Oasis - come on guys and girls, it's an easy win in front of a Manchester crowd - and Tom Aspinall delivers.

Curtis Blaydes is in the octagon... finally.

Here's interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who promised a special walkout and he isn't disappointing.

We begin with 'Supersonic' by Oasis - playing up to the Manchester crowd. Love it!

Then on to his usual 'Move On Up' by Curtis Mayfield.

Right it's all gold from here with two title fights left to go.

What is this music?

Here comes Curtis Blaydes and I know we're trying to keep everyone awake but this is next level. It's some kind of trance track and it's hurting my ears.

Let's get Blaydes in the octagon quickly, please.

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During fight week, all media interviews, news conferences and weigh-ins are taking place about five hours later than usual to fit with the fighters' later sleep patterns.

Britain's Tom Aspinall, who defends his interim heavyweight title against American Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event, made light out of the situation.

Aspinall has been telling reporters he has been dipping his hands in petrol in the early hours of the morning to harden his knuckles.

When asked if the story was true on Tuesday by BBC Sport, Aspinall shook his head and burst out laughing.

"I've got a lot of Traveller friends and they joke about it all the time, it's like an old gypsy way of doing stuff," Aspinall said.

"It's just a joke - I was hoping just for my Traveller friends to have a giggle because we joke about it all the time."

Paul Battison
BBC Sport at the Co-op Live, Manchester

There's been a lot of mutual respect between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes this week, epitomised by a quick hug between the pair during a chance meeting at the fighter hotel earlier this week.

Aspinall has been as relaxed as I've ever seen him, laughing, joking about putting his hands in petrol, and soaking in the adoration of his home fans in Manchester.

But make no mistake - he means business this week, weighing in at 251lb which is 10lb lighter than when he beat Sergei Pavlovich for the title in November, and 5lb lighter than Blaydes.

Is Aspinall targeting a speed advantage tonight?

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The Baddy is a happy man.

Curtis Blaydes has opened up on having a stutter in the build up to his bout with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

Blaydes, 33, admitted that only in recent years, and with the help of regular interviews through his fighting career, he has gotten over his speech difficulties.

"People make me feel some type of a way. I've got over it. It took me a while, until 27, 28. Doing these interviews [helped me]," said Blaydes.

"When I was a kid in school I wouldn't raise my hand to answer. I was embarrassed. I didn't want people to laugh.

"I just want people who also have a speech impediment to know if people are laughing at you it doesn’t mean anything about you, it means a whole lot more about them and their character.'

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

In the space of four years, Tom Aspinall has emerged as a superstar in the UFC.

Aspinall made his debut with the promotion in July 2020 - stopping Jake collier in just 45 seconds.

Of his eight fights, only one has gone beyond the first round - he beat Andrei Arlovski in round two - and only one has ended in defeat.

That loss came against tonight's opponent Curtis Blaydes but there was little Aspinall could do to prevent that outcome.

The Atherton native suffered a serious knee injury when attempting to land a leg kick just 15 seconds into the bout.

Aspinall has since bounced back with, you guessed it, two first round victories and is now the interim heavyweight champion.

Tonight he has the chance to get that defeat back and he has been soaking in every second of fight week in Manchester - under 20 miles from his home.

Aspinall, 31, weighed in at 251lbs before his defence against American Blaydes, who came in 5lbs heavier.

Paddy Pimblett speaking on TNT: "Statement made.

"I knew it. I'm first to submit Bobby in the UFC. That's saying something, that's a statement to all you haters out there saying I'd never get a ranking. What now? Are they going to move the goalposts again?"

Are you calling anyone out? "I have a name everyone wants to see, Renato Moicano. Hopefully he gets through BSD [Benoit Saint-Denis] and then we can get it either the end of this year or next year."

Pleased to be able to fight in front of his home fans?: "This is how special it is, make some noise, come on. I've said it before and I'll say again, the King of the North.

"I want to dedicate this to Chad Jones, he called himself 'Chaddy the Baddy', that's for you."

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Tom Aspinall has worked his way through the heavyweight division with relative ease and it seems you all think he's going to have another easy night/morning at the office against Curtis Blaydes.

Aspinall and Blaydes are next up for our first title fight of the night.

There's still time for you to vote if you head to our mixed martial arts page!

Coral Barry
BBC Sport combat sports editor

I was a month shy of turning 24 when the UFC last went to Manchester. Michael Bisping's title defence against Dan Henderson was the first live MMA event I covered as journalist. I had no idea what to expect.

I got the train up from London, took a little nap en route and was raring to go by the time the doors opened at 11pm. I remember being struck by the sheer noise of the support and the pure emotion that poured out of Bisping from the moment he stepped into the arena.

It was a remarkable night, one that has gone down in MMA folklore in this country.

Eight years on, it is Leon Edwards' turn and this time round, I am stuck in our Salford offices with Bobbie. Will Bobbie be as rowdy as the 2016 Manchester crowd? I doubt it.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The UFC turned 30 in 2023 and there are far too many incredible moments and memories to recall, so let's focus on one night in particular, shall we?

It's eight years since the UFC last visited Manchester when Michael Bisping made the first defence of his middleweight title.

Were you there? What do you remember of the night?

If not, how did you watch it?

Get in touch using #bbcmma on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Paddy Pimblett never fails to take his moment on mic and he's letting rip right now in the octagon.

"Renato Moicano" he yells, making it clear in no uncertain terms that he wants the number 10 ranked lightweight next.

Full quotes on the way...

A place in the lightweight rankings must be on its way for Paddy Pimblett now. Surely?!

That's eight wins a row for the Liverpool star.

Six of those have come since he joined the UFC and after signing a new contract he's got some big names in his sights.

Michael Bisping
Former UFC middleweight champion on TNT Sport

It doesn't matter what you say, that was impressive.

Daniel Cormier
Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT Sports

When you look at this fight, you'd have thought Bobby would have the advantage. Pimblett had slick grappling. When Pimblett went to the armbar, Green was already out, he could not even tap.