Josh Hokit secured a victory over Curtis Blaydes, but his brawling approach resulted in him absorbing numerous strikes. While Hokit demonstrated improved power and elbow work in the third round, analysts warn that his reckless style—including frequent middle fingers and wild exchanges—could lead to knockout losses against elite strikers like Alex Pereira or Sergei Pavlovich. Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn have developed Hokit's striking variety and takedown defense, which proved effective against Blaydes' wrestling attempts. The post suggests Hokit's deviant behavior aligns perfectly with Trump and Dana White's preferences, especially with Trump sitting ringside. An upcoming bout with Derrick Lewis is mentioned, though concerns exist that Lewis may prioritize safety and payday over victory.
Josh Hokit picked up a win over Curtis Blaydes, but the manner of victory has raised as many questions as it answered, with analysts pointing to a chaotic, brawling style that left him absorbing significant punishment throughout the fight.
Hokit showed genuine improvement in the third round, mixing in elbow work and demonstrating better power, while the coaching team of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn appeared to have sharpened his striking variety and tightened his takedown defense enough to neutralize Blaydes' wrestling. Even so, observers noted that Hokit's tendency toward wild exchanges and reckless exchanges in the pocket carries serious risk the further he climbs the heavyweight ladder.
Those concerns sharpen considerably when names like Sergei Pavlovich and Alex Pereira enter the conversation. Pavlovich, ranked third in the heavyweight division at 34 years old, lands 4.43 significant strikes per minute with a 213 cm reach that lets him punish opponents before they close the distance. Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, is even more prolific, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy — numbers that represent a different class of danger for a fighter willing to stand in open exchanges. Derrick Lewis, ranked eighth at heavyweight, presents a different kind of threat: the 41-year-old American owns a 79-inch reach and has finished fights with his right hand at every level, even if his 2.46 significant strikes per minute suggests a more patient, selective approach.
A potential matchup with Lewis is mentioned, though questions have been raised about whether Lewis will prioritize the payday over an all-out performance.
Why it matters
- Hokit's win over Blaydes gives him a credible résumé result, but the heavyweight division is stacked with elite finishers
- Pavlovich's 84-inch reach and Pereira's 62 percent striking accuracy represent styles that could exploit Hokit's reckless tendencies
- A Lewis fight would be a genuine crossroads bout for both men given where each sits in the rankings
