Curtis Blaydes revealed that he and opponent Josh Hockit shared the same ambulance to the hospital following their fight, a 30-minute ride. Both fighters were loaded on stretchers into the vehicle, with Hockit positioned behind Blaydes. Due to the stretcher positioning, Blaydes could not turn around to see Hockit directly but could hear him speaking. The anecdote highlights the physical toll of their heavyweight battle and the unique post-fight camaraderie between the two competitors.
Curtis Blaydes has revealed that he and Josh Hockit shared the same ambulance on the way to the hospital after their heavyweight clash, recounting a 30-minute ride during which both men were loaded onto stretchers in the same vehicle.
Blaydes, nicknamed "Razor," described being positioned in front of Hockit on the stretchers, meaning he could not turn to see his opponent but was able to hear him speaking throughout the journey. The anecdote offers a striking glimpse into the physical cost of heavyweight competition and the unlikely intimacy that can follow a brutal fight.
The 35-year-old American is ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division and carries a professional record of 19-6. Fighting out of Elevation Fight Team, Blaydes stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach and has built his reputation as one of the most relentless grapplers in the division. He averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that ranks among the best in heavyweight history, while also landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- The ambulance story underscores the extreme physical toll that heavyweight bouts can inflict on both competitors.
- Blaydes, sitting fourth in the divisional rankings, remains a significant figure in the heavyweight picture, meaning any health update following this fight carries real implications for the title picture.
- The moment of shared vulnerability between two fighters who had just competed against each other speaks to the unique culture of respect within combat sports.
