Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hocquart faced off before their UFC 327 bout, with Blaydes showing complete indifference to Hocquart's behavior. Blaydes had previously stated at Wednesday's media day that he would not participate in promotional antics or help Hocquart gain attention. He stayed true to his word during the face-off. The post notes Blaydes' calm demeanor despite Hocquart's attempts to create a reaction.
Curtis Blaydes made it clear at the UFC 327 face-off on April 10 that he had no interest in playing along with Josh Hocquart's attempts to generate a moment, meeting every provocation with stone-faced indifference ahead of their heavyweight bout scheduled for the following day.
Blaydes had telegraphed exactly this approach at Wednesday's media day, saying outright that he would not engage in promotional theatrics or do anything to help Hocquart build a profile. He kept that promise at the face-off, refusing to give his opponent the reaction he was looking for.
The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, enters the contest ranked fourth in the heavyweight division with a professional record of 19-6. At six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, Blaydes is one of the more physically imposing heavyweights on the roster. His fight statistics reflect a well-rounded threat: he lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes — a number that places him among the most active grapplers in the division.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits fourth in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance keeps him in contention for a title shot.
- His refusal to engage with Hocquart's face-off behavior signals a focused, businesslike mindset heading into fight night.
- Blaydes' elite takedown volume against any opponent who draws him into a grappling exchange could be a decisive stylistic factor.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
