UFC 304: How to make it through Manchester’s 5am fight night

There's a huge night - and morning - of MMA in store at UFC 304 in Manchester this weekend. Please don't fall asleep before the headline fights

By / UFC / 1 month ago

Despite UFC 304 being held in Manchester, the event has been curated for US audience with fight times going to the wee small hours, just like it was happening in Vegas, but minus all the glitz and glamour and with about 18-inches more rain.

With this kowtowing to stateside viewers, some reports suggest royal runaways Harry and Meghan are set to deliver rodeo performance in nacho cowboy hat to impress US-based primetime viewers between fights, though we’ll believe it when we see it.

However, our biggest concern is the headline fights are taking place at a time when even the most vigorous party animal is will be thinking about having an hour’s kip.

As there’s a high risk of peaking too soon, Paddy Power News outlines some essential steps to make the most of UFC 304.

Pre-fight nap

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so before you even consider getting stuck into UFC 304, you need to acknowledge it could still be going on well into Sunday morning. We recommend a one-hour power nap on Saturday afternoon to head into it with as much energy as possible. When you wake up, strip your bed of its sheets removing any temptation of getting back in it any time soon.

 

Don’t start too early

The temptation to have an early drink needs to be avoided where possible. If the doors of the event don’t open until 10pm, how are you supposed to go the course if you are seeing double before the preliminary card even starts?!

If you ‘must’ get going pre-6pm, Espresso Martini is a good option. Coffee, see?

Set alarms

Modern technology allows us to set multiple alarms on our devices, so what’s the harm in setting an hourly alarm from 10pm-1am, then a half hourly alarm until 3am, then one every fifteen minutes thereafter. and if they don’t work, the smacks around the head you’ll receive for p*ssing everyone else off should do the trick.

Stock levels

Yes, the fridge will be full of booze, but have you considered other necessities? Fizzy strawberry laces and cans of Red Bull are good for a sugar pick up. Doritos and dip could play a pivotal role when it gets to the small hours of the night. This is a marathon not a sprint so don’t let yourself get caught short.

Remind yourself why you’re doing it

When it gets to that time of the night in which you begin to question if it’s worth staying up, pop yourself onto YouTube and watch reruns of classic UFC moments. Remind yourself how you felt during the Khabib-McGregor brawl in 2018, or when Holly Holm humbled big-mouth Ronda Rousey in under 60 seconds. Of course, it’s always fun looking up YouTube celebrities trying their hand at the sport.

Deliveroo set times

What you eat and when you eat is paramount to surviving UFC 304. Dominoes is fine, but you need a strategy. Pizza, wings and wedges could trigger a food coma if consumed too early and too quickly. Schedule Deliveroo orders for 9pm for the lightweight in your group, midnight for the majority and 3am for the one who needs a reason outside of UFC to stay awake.

Clear your calendar

Ask yourself, could you honestly enjoy UFC to its maximum if you know you are up with the kids at 7am, or walking the dog at 8am? Clear the deck. Shirk all responsibilities. Do what you need to do to allow yourself the chance to sleep in until midday dreaming about your own UFC career.

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