Tom Aspinall Takes Issue With 'Absolutely Terrible' Start Time of UFC Manchester Card

While Tom Aspinall is glad to have the Ultimate Fighting Championship returning to Manchester after almost eight years, the Englishman isn't pleased with the event timing.

UFC 304 is scheduled to go down at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on July 27. Although U.K. fans are excited about the promotion's return to the country, many have complained about the start time of the card. The UFC 304 prelims will start at 11 p.m. BST (6 p.m. ET in the U.S.), followed by the main card starting at 3 a.m. BST (10 p.m. ET).

While Aspinall admits that it doesn’t make much of a difference for fighters, who are accustomed to fighting in different time zones, he believes it is unfair for U.K. mixed martial arts fans. The UFC interim champ is aware of the importance of catering to the U.S. fan base but believes that the card could start slightly earlier to make it more convenient for U.K. fans.

“Well, as an athlete, as a fighter, in all honesty, doesn’t make that much difference,” the 31-year-old said on his YouTube Channel. “Probably for a couple of weeks before I have to wake up and train at that time or stay up or whatever. I have fought across the world multiple times, I’ve fought on different time zones so it’s not as bad as that.

“As a fan who wants to watch it live, I think it is absolutely terrible. Yeah, it’s just not fair on the fans, not fair on the U.K. fans. Obviously, predominantly it’s an American audience. So, I understand that they [UFC] wants to sell to them, but why can’t they sell to them in the afternoon, which is our evening time? Why can’t the Americans watch it in the afternoon, and the U.K. fans, the Manchester fans, the European fans, can fly to this event, sell out this arena. I mean it’s gonna sell out regardless, mate. We’re very, very, very, very, very lucky to have a pay-per-view event in Manchester. Very lucky. But U.K. MMA, let’s put it on U.K. time.”

While an opponent has not been confirmed, Aspinall is expected to defend his interim heavyweight crown at UFC 304.