Hokit defeats Blaydes but faces criticism for sloppy striking defense

Josh Hokit secured a victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327, but his performance revealed significant defensive vulnerabilities as he absorbed numerous strikes throughout the fight. While Hokit demonstrated improved power and variety in his striking, including effective elbow work in the third round, analysts warn that his reckless style could lead to knockout losses against elite strikers like Pereira or Pavlovich. His wrestling defense proved solid as he easily stuffed Blaydes' takedown attempts. The post notes that Hokit's aggressive, middle-finger-flipping persona aligns perfectly with Trump and Dana White, who were in attendance. Looking ahead, there are concerns that Derrick Lewis may approach their upcoming bout cautiously rather than seeking a decisive victory.