Haquit's win over Blades raises questions about gameplan vs top heavyweights

Despite defeating Curtis Blaydes, Josh Haquit's aggressive, brawling style that saw him absorb significant damage could prove problematic against elite strikers like Alex Pereira or Sergei Pavlovich, potentially leading to a knockout loss. The analyst notes that while Haquit's striking power has improved and remained effective even in the grueling third round, and his takedown defense against Blaydes was excellent, his willingness to trade blows may not translate well against sharper strikers. Haquit's behavior aligns well with the Trump-Dana White era of spectacle, particularly with Trump in attendance. The upcoming fight against Derrick Lewis carries risk given Haquit's reckless style, though concerns exist that Lewis may prioritize getting paid and avoiding damage over securing victory.