Curtis Blaydes views his upcoming fight against Josh Hockit as a matchup between a one-dimensional fighter and someone with a broader skill set. Blaydes positions himself as the more well-rounded competitor heading into the bout. He anticipates an aggressive start from Hockit and expects his opponent to come out with high pressure from the opening bell. The heavyweight contender appears confident in his ability to handle whatever Hockit brings to the octagon. Blaydes made these comments in the lead-up to their scheduled fight at UFC 327.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear he sees a significant skills gap between himself and Josh Hockit ahead of their heavyweight clash at UFC 327 on April 11.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the heavyweight division, framed the matchup as a contest between a fighter with one dimension and a more complete combat athlete — himself. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a 19-6-0 professional record into the bout and represents one of the division's most established contenders. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, Blaydes has built his reputation on a smothering grappling game, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He is also no liability on the feet, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy — numbers that support his claim of being a well-rounded heavyweight threat.
Blaydes acknowledged he expects Hockit to come out with intensity and high pressure from the opening bell, but expressed confidence in his ability to manage whatever comes his way inside the octagon.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits at number four in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance keeps him in contention for a title shot.
- His takedown volume is among the highest in the division, giving him a clear path to controlling a pressure-heavy opponent.
- If Hockit does rely on a narrow offensive approach, Blaydes' combination of wrestling and striking could present problems across all three rounds.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
