Debate over UFC 304 start time at Manchester Co-op Live rages on as Michael Bisping tells fans to be grateful

UFC legend Michael Bisping has weighed in on the debate around the start time of the premier MMA organisation’s upcoming Manchester event - and thinks fans should be “grateful”.

British combat sports fans were treated last week to the announcement that UFC 304 would be hosting the first-ever live sports event at the troubled Co-op Live arena on July 27. However, some fans, and even potential headliner Tom Aspinall, have raised concerns after it was confirmed that the event would not start until 11pm and could finish as late as 6am the next morning.  

Speaking on his podcast, titled ‘Believe You Me’, Clitheroe’s former UFC middleweight champion Bisping said: “People are very excited; some people are also very frustrated. I got a lot of DMs from people giving me s***, saying ‘Bisping you’re a sellout if you agree that we’re not being F’d over in Manchester, this is bull*** with the time zones,’ and there’s a fair bit of that online as well.

“Guys look, we’ve got to be very grateful that they’re bringing a pay-per-view to Manchester, it’s incredibly exciting as British MMA fans. I’ve seen people say that the British fans deserve more, and I totally get that but there’s a lot more to it.

“The reality is, it’s an American company and the time zone is dominated by the California audience on the West Coast so they can cater to that. I feel your pain to a certain degree but any of you pr**** that DM’d me abuse, just be grateful, ok?”

The UFC last travelled to Manchester eight years ago when Bisping headlined a card against his long-time rival Dan Henderson in the Manchester Arena. And, like July’s event, Bisping didn’t make the walk to the octagon until nearly 5am.

He added: “For the fighters, in a perfect world you’d fight at a regular time, but I did it when I defended my title there and I was very very proud to do that. So, make a night out of it! Go out there on the town, have a nice dinner, have a few drinks, go get your dancing shoes on and then pop into the brand-new arena and have a good one.”

Bisping is set to be part of the commentary team for the night, with the former champion all but confirming this, saying: “I’ve known about it for some time, my flights have been booked for a while, when I’m commentator I can’t talk about those things.”