Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockitt completed their first face-off ahead of their fight at UFC 327. This marks the initial official staredown between the two heavyweight fighters. The post does not provide details about any exchanges or the atmosphere during the confrontation. This face-off comes amid Hockitt's unusual and aggressive pre-fight promotional campaign. The encounter represents a standard ritual in the build-up to their upcoming clash.
Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockitt stood across from each other for the first time Wednesday as the two heavyweights completed their opening face-off ahead of their UFC 327 clash scheduled for April 11.
Blaydes enters the bout ranked fourth in the heavyweight division with a professional record of 19-6. The 35-year-old American trains out of Elevation Fight Team and presents a physical profile that commands attention at six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach. He has built his reputation as one of the division's most relentless grapplers, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes while also posting a striking output of 3.56 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Hockitt, meanwhile, has drawn attention during the promotional buildup through what has been described as an unusual and aggressive pre-fight campaign ahead of the matchup.
Why it matters
- A Blaydes victory would reinforce his position as a legitimate top-four heavyweight contender with title implications.
- Hockitt's aggressive promotional approach has raised the profile of what might otherwise be a lopsided matchup on paper.
- The contrast in styles — Blaydes's elite wrestling versus whatever Hockitt brings — sets up an interesting stylistic question for fight week.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
