Curtis Blaydes expressed confidence before his upcoming fight against Josh Hockit, describing it as a matchup between a one-dimensional fighter and someone with a broader skillset. Blaydes positioned himself as the more well-rounded fighter in the contest. He anticipates an aggressive start from Hockit with significant early pressure. The post asks readers to predict whether the fight will end in the first round, reach the second, or go to a decision.
Curtis Blaydes is looking ahead to his upcoming heavyweight bout against Josh Hockit with clear confidence, publicly framing the matchup as one between a fighter with a singular dimension and a more complete, well-rounded competitor — with Blaydes casting himself firmly in the latter role.
Blaydes, known as "Razor," enters the contest ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a professional record of 19-6 and brings an imposing physical frame to the cage at six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach. His grappling has long been the centerpiece of his game, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes — an elite rate at any weight class. He also contributes offensively on the feet, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, underscoring the broader skillset he referenced in his pre-fight remarks.
Despite his confidence, Blaydes acknowledged that Hockit is expected to bring heavy early pressure, anticipating an aggressive opening from his opponent in the first round.
Verified data for Hockit was not available in the AgentMMA database at the time of publication.
Why it matters
- A win would strengthen Blaydes' case for a top-three heavyweight ranking and keep him in contention at 265 pounds.
- Blaydes' elite takedown rate poses a distinct structural problem for any opponent who relies primarily on striking.
- The contrast in styles — Blaydes' described all-around game against Hockit's anticipated aggression — sets up an interesting early-round dynamic that could determine where the fight is decided.
