Curtis Blaydes has publicly stated his respect for Josh Hewitt as a fighter, despite disliking Hewitt's behavior and words leading up to their bout. Blaydes acknowledged it would be insincere to dismiss Hewitt's fighting ability. While he does not appreciate Hewitt's personality or gimmicks, Blaydes confirmed he respects him inside the octagon when they face off with gloves on. The comments reflect Blaydes' ability to separate personal feelings from professional respect.
Curtis Blaydes has gone on record expressing genuine respect for Josh Hewitt as a competitor, even as the two exchange verbal barbs in the lead-up to their heavyweight matchup.
Blaydes, who fights out of Elevation Fight Team, acknowledged that dismissing Hewitt's abilities inside the octagon would simply be dishonest. While he made clear he has no appreciation for Hewitt's personality or pre-fight gimmicks, the 35-year-old American drew a firm line between personal feelings and professional acknowledgment. When the gloves go on, Blaydes said, respect is warranted.
Known as "Razor," Blaydes carries a 19-6-0 record and is currently ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he is an imposing presence in a stacked weight class. His statistical profile underscores why opponents take him seriously: he lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, and his wrestling is among the most productive in the division, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits fourth in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance here carries genuine divisional weight
- His willingness to separate personal friction from professional respect suggests a composed mindset heading into the fight
- Hewitt will need answers for Blaydes' elite wrestling volume, which has been a defining factor throughout his UFC career
- The pre-fight tension adds a layer of animosity that could make for an explosive opening exchange
