UFC president Dana White commented on Josh Hawit's pre-fight behavior and theatrics. White stated that all of Hawit's antics and callouts will only be appropriate if he manages to defeat Curtis Blaydes in their upcoming heavyweight bout. The comment suggests White is tolerating Hawit's promotional tactics but expects performance to back them up. This puts additional pressure on Hawit to deliver a win at UFC 327. The statement reflects the UFC's stance that fighters must win to justify their trash talk and showmanship.
UFC president Dana White made clear this week that Josh Hawit's pre-fight showmanship will only be forgiven if it comes with a victory, putting the spotlight squarely on the heavyweight newcomer ahead of UFC 327.
White addressed Hawit's promotional behavior and callouts directly, stating that all of the theatrics will only be appropriate if Hawit backs them up by defeating Curtis Blaydes. The message was unambiguous: performance justifies the noise, and anything short of a win will render the antics hollow.
Standing opposite Hawit will be a proven and dangerous heavyweight in Blaydes, 35, who carries a 19-6-0 professional record and currently sits ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division. The American wrestler out of Elevation Fight Team is one of the most relentless grapplers in the weight class, averaging an exceptional 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also brings a credible striking game, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, and stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach.
Why it matters
- A win over a top-five heavyweight like Blaydes would give Hawit immediate divisional credibility and validate his promotional approach.
- A loss, however, would leave his trash talk and callouts exposed as premature, with White's words effectively waiting on the other side of the result.
- Blaydes's elite takedown volume presents a clear stylistic challenge that Hawit will need to solve to earn the outcome White is demanding.
