Curtis Blaydes slams UFC 304 handlers for ‘vampire’ start times in Manchester — ‘No way they’d do this to Conor McGregor’

Curtis Blaydes has a way of keeping it real — even if dopey UFC fans can’t handle it.

The No. 4-ranked heavyweight title contender will rematch interim champion Tom Aspinall for the substitute strap in the UFC 304 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event, scheduled for Sat., July 27, 2024 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Assuming he can survive the “terrible” start times, adjusted to keep UFC 304 on track with stateside clocks.

“That’s the idea, just gonna have to be vampires for about a week — I don’t know what to do,” Blaydes said on The MMA Hour (transcribed by MMA News). “I don’t know what we’re gonna be doing at like one in the morning, because the city’s gonna be sleeping. That part we’re still working on; what we’re gonna do as like, distractions. But the plan is to be vampires that week.”

Seems like everything associated with the Manchester card has been done terribly.

“I’m very surprised, it’s almost like a slight,” Blaydes continued. “Like, you guys, you don’t respect Leon and Tom enough to give them a normal title fight situation? I don’t think they’d do this to (Conor) McGregor. There’s no way they’d do this to McGregor or (Charles) Oliveira. There are certain guys they wouldn’t do this to. I think it’s just a little bit disrespectful. I know they don’t give a damn about me, but I’m talking about Aspinall and Leon (Edwards). You would think they would have earned enough respect to get like, a normal fight week. Apparently not.”

At least they don’t have to worry about the arena malfunctioning … oh wait.

UFC 304 will be headlined by the welterweight title fight (and 170-pound rematch) between current division champion Leon Edwards and longtime rival Belal Muhammad. Elsewhere on the card, Paddy Pimblett returns to uncrown lightweight “King” Bobby Green.

For the current UFC 304 fight card and PPV lineup click here.