Curtis Blaydes views his upcoming fight against Josh Hewitt as a matchup between a one-dimensional fighter and someone with a broader skill set. Blaydes positioned himself as the more complete fighter with multiple skills. He anticipates an aggressive start from his opponent with significant pressure early in the fight. The post asked readers to predict whether the fight will end in the first round, reach the second, or go to a decision. No specific date or event was mentioned in the post.
Curtis Blaydes has gone on record expressing confidence ahead of his upcoming heavyweight matchup with Josh Hewitt, describing his opponent as a one-dimensional fighter while positioning himself as the more complete and well-rounded competitor.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division, carries a record of 19-6 and brings a genuinely diverse skill set into the cage. The 35-year-old American out of Elevation Fight Team stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach and has built his reputation largely on elite wrestling, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. He also contributes offensively on the feet, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy. That combination of grappling dominance and striking output is precisely what Blaydes pointed to when contrasting himself with Hewitt.
Blaydes also signaled that he expects Hewitt to come out fast and physical, anticipating heavy early pressure in the opening round. Reading between the lines, Blaydes seems unbothered by that prospect, suggesting his broader toolkit gives him answers for whatever aggression Hewitt brings.
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 wrestling-heavy style against a fighter he publicly labels one-dimensional sets up an interesting stylistic test.
- The question of whether the fight ends early or goes the distance carries real weight given Blaydes' finishing ability and his prediction of an aggressive opener from Hewitt.
