UFC 304 is set to take place at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, featuring a highly anticipated fight card with two title rematches. The main event will see UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards facing Belal Muhammad, while the co-headliner will showcase interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall against Curtis Blaydes.
The event will kick off with an important featherweight division matchup between Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze. Allen, ranked No. 6 in the UFC featherweight rankings, aims to bounce back from a two-fight losing streak, while Chikadze, ranked at No. 10, seeks to secure consecutive wins after a year-long hiatus.
Arnold Allen, known as 'Almighty,' made his UFC debut in 2015 at the age of 21 and has since faced increasingly tough opponents. Notable victories include wins over Sodiq Yusuff and Dan Hooker, with his only UFC loss coming against former champion Max Holloway in April 2023.
Giga Chikadze, with a background in kickboxing, transitioned to MMA and joined the UFC in 2019. He gained recognition with impressive wins over Edson Barboza and Cub Swanson, propelling him into the top 10 of the division.
As the fight approaches, Allen is favored to win, with Chikadze as the underdog. Allen's well-rounded MMA skills, including solid striking and takedown abilities, are expected to give him an edge in the matchup.
Both fighters have impressive striking stats, with Allen landing 3.39 significant strikes per minute and Chikadze landing 4.08. However, Allen boasts better takedown accuracy and defense, which could be a key factor in the fight.
Overall, the betting pick leans towards Allen securing a decision victory over Chikadze, leveraging his superior MMA skills to control the pace and location of the bout.
UFC 304 promises to deliver an action-packed event for fight fans, with the main card streaming on ESPN+ pay-per-view. The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET, following the prelims on ESPN2 starting at 8:00 p.m. ET.
