Tom Aspinall has voiced his discontent with the early morning start time for UFC 304 in Manchester, expressing concerns that it is unfair to UK fans who wish to watch the event live.
Aspinall, who is preparing for his upcoming fight on the card, criticized the decision to cater the timing to US viewers, particularly due to the inconvenience it poses for fans in the UK.
In a video shared on his TikTok and YouTube channel, Aspinall emphasized his disappointment with the event’s scheduling, stating that it does not consider the interests of UK fans who want to watch the fights in real-time.
He expressed frustration, calling the timing “absolutely terrible” and highlighting the impact it has on fans who wish to engage with the event live.
TOM ASPINALL SAYS #UFC304 IN MANCHESTER IS OFFICIAL 👀
ps great sweatshirt @AspinallMMA pic.twitter.com/wqjwQ0r0Ms
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) April 17, 2024
While Aspinall had expressed interest in potential matchups with fighters like Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic, the priority remains on defending his interim heavyweight title against a suitable contender.
Despite Aspinall’s willingness to face top-ranked opponents, including Ciryl Gane, he acknowledged challenges in arranging certain fights due to opposition from other fighters.
In particular, Aspinall revealed that Ciryl Gane had declined multiple offers to fight him in the past, expressing frustration with Gane’s reluctance to engage in a potential matchup. However, Aspinall maintained his readiness to accept fights against high-caliber opponents if the UFC were to pursue such matchups.
Aspinall’s comments highlight his eagerness to engage with top-tier competition while also advocating for fair treatment of UK fans in the scheduling of UFC events. His stance underscores broader discussions within the MMA community regarding event timing and fighter matchups.
