UFC 304 in Manchester 3am main card start time explained as fans in shock over Dana White call

Excitement is building with the news that the UFC 304 is heading back to Manchester this summer with date and times now confirmed by company president, Dana White.

We now know that the event is set to take place on Saturday, July 27 and It's been confirmed, after initial rumours, that UFC’s highly anticipated comeback to Manchester will see UFC 304 be the first-ever sporting event at the Co-op Live, what is now the UK’s largest indoor arena. Speaking on the dates being confirmed, UFC President and CEO Dana White said: “I’m so excited to get back to Manchester. And no better time than this summer.”

It's now been revealed that the prelims will begin at 11pm UK time, which is 6pm ET in the USA, followed by the main card airing at 3am UK time, which is 10pm ET in the US - which is traditionally the start time for a UFC PPV in the States. The UFC are believed to have scheduled the event taking place in Manchester to cater for that American PPV audience, to maximise sales. UFC 278 was the last UK PPV from the organisation, where Leon Edwards defended his welterweight title again Kamaru Usman in London. That event began at 7pm local time and did not cater for the US market.

READ MORE: UFC 304 in Manchester date confirmed by Dana White but fans need one thing for early tickets

Fight fans are now reacting to the news with disbelief and disappointment with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to express their views. One poster, @RedWolfMMA, said:"Starting at 11pm and Main Card at 3am GMT is not what I, or most UK fans expected at all ... Especially as the last UK cards have all started and been at UK prime time .. prioritizing the US audience while hosting a card in the UK feels a bit of a slap in the face."

Another X poster @Cha