Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockett have completed their first face-off ahead of their heavyweight fight at UFC 327. The confrontation serves as an official promotional event in the build-up to their scheduled contest. Face-offs typically provide opportunities for fighters to engage in psychological warfare before their actual bout. The post does not describe any notable incidents or exchanges during the face-off itself. This represents one of the standard pre-fight promotional obligations for both heavyweight competitors.
Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockett stood across from each other Wednesday in the first official face-off ahead of their heavyweight matchup at UFC 327, scheduled for April 11, 2026.
Blaydes, known as "Razor," enters the bout as the No. 4-ranked heavyweight in the UFC. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a professional record of 19-6 and brings considerable physical tools to the division — standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach. His statistical profile underscores a well-rounded skill set, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while averaging an exceptional 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, one of the higher marks in the heavyweight division.
Hockett's verified record was not available in the official database ahead of this report.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits at fourth in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance keeps him in contention for a title shot
- The grappling-heavy profile of Blaydes will be a central stylistic factor heading into fight night
- UFC 327 is just days away, making this face-off one of the final scheduled promotional obligations before the fighters enter the cage
Saturday, April 11, 2026
