Curtis Blaydes said he respects Josh Hewitt as a fighter despite not appreciating his pre-fight behavior and trash talk. Blaydes emphasized it would be insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hewitt's abilities after their bout. While Blaydes stated he does not like Hewitt's personality or his promotional tactics, he acknowledged that he must respect him inside the octagon when they face each other with gloves on. The post reflects Blaydes' ability to separate personal feelings from professional respect for an opponent's fighting skills.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear he carries genuine professional respect for Josh Hewitt into their upcoming matchup, even as he remains openly critical of Hewitt's pre-fight conduct and trash talk.
Blaydes stated that walking away from the fight and dismissing Hewitt's abilities would be both insincere and hypocritical. Despite his distaste for Hewitt's personality and promotional tactics, the heavyweight contender acknowledged that the moment gloves go on, respect inside the octagon is simply unavoidable.
Blaydes, known as "Razor," is one of the most accomplished fighters in the heavyweight division. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, holds a professional record of 19-6 and is currently ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight rankings. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence who backs his frame with elite wrestling. Blaydes averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, among the highest rates in the division, while also landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, demonstrating a well-rounded offensive game that goes beyond pure grappling.
Why it matters
- Blaydes' ranking means a strong performance could push him back toward heavyweight title contention
- The public tension between the two fighters adds an interpersonal edge to an already significant divisional matchup
- Blaydes' wrestling-heavy style will present a complex tactical challenge, regardless of any bad blood between the camps
