Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockitt faced off for the first time ahead of their heavyweight contest at UFC 327. The face-off comes amid Hockitt's controversial and bizarre promotional behavior leading up to the fight. Blaydes, a longtime heavyweight contender, will face the unpredictable Hockitt in what has become a highly publicized matchup. The staredown represents a traditional pre-fight ritual that allows fans to see both fighters together. Given Hockitt's recent antics, the face-off was likely monitored closely for any unusual behavior.
UFC 327
Saturday, April 11, 2026
