UFC 304 promises an exciting lineup with Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, but it’s the unusual start time that’s making headlines.
Leon Edwards, the UFC welterweight champion, will defend his title against Belal Muhammad in a highly anticipated rematch. With the fight taking place in the UK, but following a US-friendly schedule, Edwards has shared the unique adjustments he’s made to prepare for the early morning start.
Scheduled for Saturday, July 27, UFC 304 will be held at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester. Despite being a UK event, the main card will begin at 3 a.m. local time to cater to the US audience.
Tom Aspinall, who is set to face Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event, has also voiced his concerns about the start time. He even attempted to discuss changing the schedule with UFC officials but was quickly turned down. Edwards, on the other hand, has taken proactive steps to adapt to the situation.
Leon Edwards Reveals Hurdles Overcame Due to UFC 304 Start Time
In a recent interview, Edwards explained the changes he’s implemented in his training routine:
“I’ve brought in a specialist in sleep, and they’ve given me a plan of how it will work. I thought I’d have to train at 5 a.m. straight away from the morning, but they said basically ‘Six weeks out we’ll start switching your body clock and training’.”
To align his body clock with the fight schedule, Edwards has significantly altered the timing of his training sessions. This gradual adjustment is designed to help him peak at the right time for the fight.
“So my evening session will now become my first session, so at 5 p.m. I’ll do my first session and then I’ll train again at midnight. And then each week I’ll move both sessions forward an hour to adjust to the time so I’ll sleep later and train later,” Leon Edwards explained.
This strategic shift in his training regimen aims to ensure that Edwards is fully acclimated to the early morning start, giving him the best chance to perform at his peak during the fight.
Moving His Body Clock Forward
Bringing in a sleep specialist is a crucial part of this process. The specialist has provided Edwards with a tailored plan to gradually adjust his sleep and training schedule. This involves not only changing the timing of his workouts but also shifting his overall daily routine to better suit the fight schedule.
By starting his evening session at 5 p.m. and his second session at midnight, Edwards is progressively moving his body clock forward. Each week, he adjusts these sessions an hour earlier, aligning his body’s peak performance time with the fight’s early morning start.
As UFC 304 approaches, fans can look forward to a memorable event in UK MMA history. Will Leon Edwards bringing in a sleep specialist help him? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
