Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hockett faced off before their UFC 327 bout, with Blaydes showing complete indifference to Hockett's behavior. Blaydes had previously stated at Wednesday's media day that he would not participate in promotional antics or help Hockett gain attention. True to his word, Blaydes remained unfazed during the staredown. The post asked fans to predict the winner of this heavyweight matchup.
Curtis Blaydes made good on a promise heading into UFC 327, keeping a stone-faced composure during the staredown with Josh Hockett on Thursday as the two heavyweights prepared for their bout on Saturday, April 11.
Blaydes had set the tone at Wednesday's media day, making clear he had no interest in playing into promotional theatrics or giving Hockett any added exposure. When the moment arrived, he held to that word, remaining completely unfazed by whatever Hockett brought to the face-off.
The 35-year-old American, known as "Razor," enters the fight ranked fourth in the heavyweight division and carries a 19-6 record built over a long run near the top of the weight class. Training out of Elevation Fight Team, Blaydes stands six-foot-four with a massive 80-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He is one of the more well-rounded heavyweights on the roster, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes while also posting 3.56 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy — a combination that makes him dangerous in all phases.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits at number four in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance keeps him firmly in title contention
- His refusal to engage in staredown theatrics signals a focused, businesslike mindset heading into fight night
- The matchup pits one of the division's most consistent grappling threats against an opponent looking to make a statement on a big stage
Saturday, April 11, 2026
