Josh Hockit defeated Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision with scores of 29-28 across all three judges' scorecards. Hockit improves to 9-0 and secures his third victory in the UFC, maintaining his undefeated record. Blaydes now holds a 2-3 record in his last five fights, continuing a difficult stretch in his career. The bout was described as an exciting fight of the night contender. Hockit's performance solidifies his position as a rising heavyweight prospect.
Josh Hockit handed Curtis Blaydes a unanimous decision defeat on April 12, 2026, with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in favor of the unbeaten heavyweight prospect.
Hockit improves to 9-0 with the victory, picking up his third win inside the UFC. The performance further establishes him as one of the more compelling emerging names in the heavyweight division, and the bout was noted as a fight-of-the-night contender.
For Blaydes, the loss adds another setback to what has become a turbulent stretch. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, now sits at 19-6 overall and owns a 2-3 record over his last five outings. Ranked fourth in the heavyweight division, Blaydes entered the fight as one of the most accomplished opponents of Hockit's young career. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, Blaydes has long been one of the division's most dangerous wrestlers, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He also lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, making him a legitimate threat on the feet as well.
Why it matters
- Hockit's perfect 9-0 record and third UFC win put him firmly on the divisional radar at heavyweight
- A victory over a ranked top-five opponent carries significant weight for any potential future rankings movement
- Blaydes, ranked fourth, will need to respond after going 2-3 in his last five, raising questions about where he fits in the current heavyweight landscape
- The competitive 29-28 scorecards signal a closely contested bout, highlighting Hockit's ability to perform against elite-level opposition
