Curtis Blaydes says he respects Josh Hewitt despite pre-fight trash talk

Curtis Blaydes expressed respect for Josh Hewitt's fighting abilities despite disliking his pre-fight antics and personality. Blaydes stated it would be insincere and hypocritical not to acknowledge Hewitt's skills inside the octagon. He emphasized that once gloves are on and they face each other in the cage, respect is necessary regardless of personal feelings about an opponent's behavior outside the fight. Blaydes made clear he can separate his opinion of Hewitt's character from his acknowledgment of him as a capable fighter.