Irish duo Caolan Loughran and Shauna Bannon have been added to the UFC Manchester card

Irish duo Caolan Loughran and Shauna Bannon will both fight at the upcoming UFC 304 event in Manchester.

The pay-per-view event marks the UFC’s first return to Manchester in eight years and takes place on July 27 at the new Co-op Live arena. Welterweight champion Leon Edwards defends his world title in a rematch against top contender Belal Muhammad, while the co-main event features an interim heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

Loughran faces Ramon Taveras on the card, while Bannon looks for her first UFC win when she fights Ravena Oliveira. “The Don” made his promotional debut last September when he lost to Taylor Lapilus in France, but has since defeated Angel Pacheco. Bannon lost to Brunei Brasil in her UFC debut last July.

Loughran began training for the fight today at Team Kaoban in Liverpool alongside UFC veteran Mike Grundy, who recently announced his retirement from MMA. Bannon made history in her latest fight, becoming only the second Irish woman to compete in the UFC, after trailblazer Aisling Daly.

Several other big fights have recently been announced on the Manchester card, including the return of Scouse star Paddy Pimblett, who takes on top ranked lightweight Bobby Green. Former world title contender Arnold Allen looks to snap a two-fight losing streak when he faces Giga Chikadze, while flyweight stars Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape also fight on the card.

Pimblett’s good friend Molly McCann is looking for her second strawweight jump-off win when she takes on Brazil and Nathaniel Wood is also in action against Daniel Pineda.

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