UFC in July: Here are all the interesting fights for the month you don't want to miss out on [2024]

June was rightfully marketed as a crucial period for the UFC with two pay-per-view events and International Fight Week scheduled for late in the month. With the month now halfway through, there is still a lot to look forward to in July.

The month will be anchored by UFC 304 on July 27 headlined by Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad in Manchester, England. Two other Fight Night events will occupy the month including one from Denver, Colorado, on July 13.

---

Five best UFC fights in July 2024

UFC 304: Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes (July 27)

Arguably the best fight of July will be the co-main event of UFC 304. As Jon Jones works on his recovery from surgery, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will defend his title against former opponent Curtis Blaydes.

The fight will technically be a rematch, but the first matchup provided no questions answered as Aspinall tore his MCL just 15 seconds in, losing by injury TKO. Since returning from a year-long layoff, Aspinall has picked up two wins, with the second being a short-notice title victory over Sergei Pavlovich.

Blaydes has gone 1-1 in his two fights since but is coming off a momentum-halting win over Jailton Almeida at UFC 299.

UFC 304: Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad (July 27)

As the only undisputed title fight of the month, Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad will finally face each other in the biggest fight of July. Like the fight that will precede their UFC 304 main event, the matchup will be a rematch of an inconclusive initial bout.

Since their no-contest meeting in 2021, neither fighter has lost a fight. Edwards has gone 4-0 with three championship wins while Muhammad has gone 5-0 with each win more dominant than the last. Overall, 'Remember the Name' has not lost since 2019, with the champion undefeated since 2015.

UFC Denver: Rose Namajunas vs. Maycee Barber (July 13)

Following their annual tradition, the UFC will take off the week after International Fight Week and return on July 13 with a Fight Night event in Denver. The card will be headlined by former strawweight champion and fan-favorite Rose Namajunas against surging contender Maycee Barber.

Since moving up to flyweight in 2013, Namajunas picked up her first win in the division on March 23 with a decision nod over Amanda Ribas. Barber will enter the contest riding a six-fight win streak, culminated by the biggest win of her career against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 299.

In all likelihood, the winner of this fight could be the next challenger for the winner of Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3 in late 2024.

UFC Denver: Drew Dober vs. Mike Davis (July 13)

From a pure entertainment aspect, Drew Dober vs. Mike Davis will be the frontrunner for the best fight of the month. Though trending in alternate directions of their respective careers, both have a proven track record of bonus-worthy performances as two of the most underrated lightweights in the UFC.

Since 2018, Dober has earned seven post-fight bonuses including three Fight of the Night honors. In that same time frame, Davis has picked up one Fight of the Night bonus with none of his UFC fights failing to entertain.

Expect a back-and-forth bloody battle between the lightweights on July 13.

UFC 304: Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett (July 27)

It is always a big event when Paddy Pimblett fights, especially in the United Kingdom. At UFC 304, Pimblett will face the biggest challenge of his career against divisional veteran and no. 15-ranked contender Bobby Green.

In terms of pure stakes, Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape have more on the line on July 27 as the potential no. 1 contender fight in the flyweight division. But once Pimblett and Green walk out to the Octagon, the crowd will reach its peak in the Co-Op Live.

The matchup is also driven by bad blood with the two lightweights genuinely despising one another. Green offered the most recent shot in their feud by calling out 'The Baddy' after dominating Jim Miller in the prelims of UFC 300.