Paddy Pimblett isn’t mincing words when it comes to his dissatisfaction with the start time of UFC 304, which he believes favors American fighters. The pay-per-view event, set in Manchester, England, will kick off its main card at 10:00 PM Eastern Time / 7:00 PM Pacific Time, translating to a daunting 3:00 AM start time for viewers in England.
In a recent interview with The Mac Life, Pimblett expressed his frustration, highlighting the advantage it provides to American fighters who don’t have to adjust their routines. For Pimblett and other hometown heroes, however, the early morning start poses significant challenges, requiring them to adapt their training schedules to accommodate the unusual timing.
Pimblett’s upcoming bout at UFC 304 pits him against the formidable Bobby Green, fresh off a remarkable victory over Jim Miller at UFC 300. Riding a seven-fight win streak, including a recent triumph over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296, Pimblett sees this as his opportunity to break into the lightweight top 15. Despite Green’s rank at #15 in the division, Pimblett harbors no affection for his opponent.
While Pimblett is no stranger to fighting in England as a UFC competitor, UFC 304 marks his first time competing in Manchester under the UFC banner. Although he has previous experience fighting in the city before joining the UFC, this homecoming represents a significant milestone in his career.
At 29 years old and with 24 professional MMA fights under his belt, Pimblett understands the importance of making strides toward ranked contention swiftly. Time is of the essence for him, and he cannot afford to lose momentum if he hopes to vie for a UFC title in the future.
