Blaydes and Emmett face off for first time before UFC 327 clash

Curtis Blaydes and Josh Emmett met face-to-face for the first time Wednesday ahead of their scheduled clash at UFC 327, set to take place this Saturday, April 11.

Blaydes enters the matchup as the No. 4-ranked heavyweight in the UFC. The 35-year-old American, who fights out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a 19-6-0 record and brings a physically imposing frame to the cage — standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach. Known as "Razor," Blaydes is among the most prolific wrestlers in the division, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes while landing significant strikes at a rate of 3.56 per minute on a 50 percent accuracy clip.

Emmett, 41, comes in ranked ninth at featherweight and holds a matching 19-7-0 record. Fighting out of Team Alpha Male, the Sacramento product stands five-foot-six with a 70-inch reach and has attracted attention in the build-up to this fight for what has been described as bizarre trash talk directed at his opponent. He averages 3.67 significant strikes per minute, though his 35 percent striking accuracy reflects a volume-oriented approach.

Why it matters

• Blaydes is firmly in the heavyweight top five and a win keeps him in contention for a title shot.
• Emmett is moving up significantly in size and weight class, making the contest an unconventional stylistic matchup.
• Blaydes's elite grappling credentials will be tested against an opponent whose striking output is among his primary weapons.
• The face-off marks the fighters' first public confrontation ahead of a bout that has already generated attention for Emmett's pre-fight antics.