Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockit participated in their first staredown ahead of their upcoming fight at UFC 327. The face-off represents the first official promotional encounter between the two heavyweight contenders. This matchup appears to be generating interest partly due to Hockit's unconventional pre-fight behavior and trash talk.
Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockit came face to face for the first time Wednesday ahead of their heavyweight bout at UFC 327, scheduled for Friday, April 11.
Blaydes, known as "Razor," enters the fight ranked fourth in the heavyweight division with a professional record of 19 wins and 6 losses. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, is a physically imposing presence at six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach. His game is built around a relentless wrestling attack, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, while also contributing on the feet with 3.56 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Hockit's verified record and ranking data were not available at the time of publication, though the summary notes he has drawn attention in the lead-up to the fight through unconventional behavior and trash talk directed at Blaydes.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits at number four in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance could push him closer to title contention
- The stylistic dynamic between Blaydes's elite wrestling and Hockit's apparent willingness to engage mentally before the fight adds an unpredictable element
- The staredown marks the first official promotional moment between the two, raising the public profile of the matchup heading into fight night
Saturday, April 11, 2026
