Tom Aspinall sympathizes with disgruntled U.K. fans over UFC 304 start time, calling it “absolutely terrible”

Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion, is gearing up to defend his title at UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27. However, the event’s start time has left many UK fans feeling frustrated as the final fights will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning, aligning with U.S. pay-per-view schedules.

In response to a fan question on his YouTube channel, Aspinall acknowledged the inconvenience for UK fans but emphasized that as an athlete, he is accustomed to adjusting to different time zones for fights. He expressed sympathy for fans who want to watch the event live and called the scheduling “absolutely terrible” for them.

Despite the time zone issue, Aspinall is excited about the UFC returning to Manchester and hopes the event will cater more to the local fanbase. He suggested that the promotion could consider holding the event at a time that is more convenient for UK viewers while still appealing to the American audience.

Aspinall, who claimed the interim title with a first-round knockout in November, emphasized the importance of showcasing UK MMA talent on a global stage and selling out the new Co-op Live arena in Manchester. He acknowledged the privilege of hosting a pay-per-view event in the city and urged the promotion to consider scheduling future events to better accommodate UK fans.