Josh Howitt received enthusiastic praise for his fight-of-the-night performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327. The post declared it the best fight of the evening and expressed newfound fandom for Howitt's fighting style. The analyst suggested Howitt should not receive a title shot yet, instead advocating for him to spend a couple more years fighting ranked opponents in the top 15. The commentary expressed hope that Howitt can revitalize the heavyweight division with his exciting approach. His ability to make the fight with Blaydes entertaining was particularly highlighted as a significant accomplishment.
Josh Howitt turned heads at UFC 327 on April 11, earning widespread acclaim for a standout performance against ranked heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes that many observers called the best fight of the night.
The praise centered on Howitt's ability to drag Blaydes into an entertaining, action-packed contest — no small feat given the heavyweight division's reputation for slow, grinding affairs. Commentary following the event expressed genuine excitement about Howitt's style and what it could mean for the division going forward. One analyst declared themselves a newly converted fan while also tempering expectations around an immediate title push, suggesting Howitt would benefit from another few years working through the top-15 ranked heavyweights before contending for a belt.
Blaydes, the 35-year-old American out of Elevation Fight Team, entered the contest ranked fourth in the heavyweight division with a record of 19-6. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, "Razor" has long been one of the division's most accomplished wrestlers, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He also brings credible striking, landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate. Making a fight with him entertaining requires real offensive output and a willingness to engage — qualities the commentary suggested Howitt delivered in abundance.
Why it matters
- Howitt's performance elevated his profile significantly despite the outcome not being specified as a win
- Analysts see him as a potential catalyst for a heavyweight division in need of exciting matchups
- A path through the top-15 contenders, rather than a direct title shot, appears to be the consensus next step for his development
- Blaydes remains a credible measuring stick at number four in the division, making any strong showing against him meaningful
Saturday, April 11, 2026
