Curtis Blaydes shares facial damage photos after Hockita fight

Curtis Blaydes took to social media on Sunday to share photos revealing the significant facial damage he sustained during his knockout loss to Josh Hockita at UFC 327, which took place on April 11, 2026.

The images offer a stark look at the punishment absorbed by the 35-year-old American heavyweight over the course of the bout. Blaydes, who fights out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a professional record of 19-6 and holds the number four ranking in the heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, the orthodox fighter known as "Razor" has long been considered one of the more complete heavyweights on the roster. He lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, and his grappling credentials are substantial, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.

The knockout defeat to Hockita marks another setback for the Illinois native as he navigates a crowded and unforgiving division. The fight was widely praised by fans as among the most entertaining heavyweight matchups in recent memory, and the post-fight photos Blaydes shared reinforce just how physical the exchange became.

Why it matters

• Blaydes drops to 19-6 and faces a steeper climb back toward a heavyweight title shot from the number four ranking
• The knockout loss raises questions about where Blaydes fits in the divisional pecking order against elite-level opposition
• His transparency in sharing the damage speaks to the culture of accountability and toughness at heavyweight