UFC welterweight champion Leon 'Rocky' Edwards. Photo: Instagram
The Co-op Live Arena's roof may need to be reinforced as the UFC returns to Manchester this Sunday with a host of homegrown heroes in action.
The most vociferous fans in the game will bear witness to what is set to be a monumental night for British mixed martial arts.
* Look for RNZ to live blog UFC 304 from 2pm Sunday.
UFC 304 will see two Englishman title holders on the same card, as interim heavyweight king Tom Aspinall will get his rematch against Curtis 'Razor' Blaydes, and Leon 'Rocky' Edwards meets Belal Muhammed for the welterweight strap.
The polarising Paddy 'the Baddy' Pimblett will also be in action as he takes on fan favourite Bobby 'the King' Green.
Pimblett's surging momentum was stalled badly after a decision win against Jared Gordon which a majority of outlets scored against the Baddy.
He followed this up with another decision against the ailing Tony Ferguson, with El Cucuy suffering his seventh loss on the trot.
Pimblett further alienated himself from fans when he went after esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.
The Scouser told UFC press he has become accustomed to the hate.
"Until I get the belt, people are going to doubt me."
Pimblett said Green, like many, is underestimating his striking power.
"I'm going to take his head off his shoulders."
In the co-main, Edwards will look to continue his incredible 13-fight unbeaten streak as he puts his title on the line in a rematch against Muhammed.
The pair first clashed at Fight Night in 2021, but the bout was ruled a no contest after Muhammed took a finger to the eye early in the second round.
Speaking on UFC Countdown, Muhammad was oozing confidence.
"I'm going to dominate, I'm going to drown him, I'm going to make it the worst night of his life, I'm the real champion and I am going to go out there and show you guys why."
Rocky responded in kind.
"I am leaps ahead of him, I am the best in the world and there is nothing he can do to stop me going out there and getting the victory."
Capping off the card will be another rematch, this time for interim heavyweight gold.
Blaydes remains the only man in the UFC to get a win over the Brit, albeit through a freak injury.
In July 2022, the two behemoths squared off in London, only for Aspinall's knee to give out just 15 seconds into the first round.
Despite the dubious win, Blaydes believes he can back it up.
"I'll be the champion at the end of the night, " he told UFC Countdown.
Aspinall is bracing for a war.
"I'm going in there to finish the fight from the first to the last bell."
UFC 304 Main Card
Live updates on RNZ from 2pm.
Welterweight- Leon Edwards (c) vs. Belal Muhammad
Heavyweight- Tom Aspinall (Interim) vs. Curtis Blaydes
Lightweight- King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett
Middleweight-Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Featherweight- Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze
