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

Curtis Blaydes offered a measured, candid assessment of his opponent Josh Hokit in a recent interview, drawing a clear line between personal feelings and professional respect after what appears to have been a contentious build-up to their bout.

Blaydes, ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division, said he found it impossible to disrespect someone willing to stand across from him with gloves on. While acknowledging he has no affection for Hokit's personality or pre-fight behavior, the 35-year-old American insisted that calling his opponent names after the fact would be both insincere and hypocritical. The comments reveal a fighter who separates the theater of promotion from the reality of competition.

Blaydes trains out of Elevation Fight Team and carries a 19-6-0 professional record. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he is one of the more physically imposing heavyweights in the division. His output inside the octagon backs that up — he averages 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, while also threatening opponents on the mat with 5.38 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.

Hokit, nicknamed "The Incredible Hok," enters the matchup undefeated at 5-0-0 at just 28 years old, bringing an unblemished record that speaks for itself even if detailed performance data remains limited at this stage of his career.

Why it matters

• Blaydes is a ranked heavyweight contender, so any opponent he faces carries real divisional weight
• Hokit's perfect 5-0-0 record earns him credibility despite limited octagon time at this level
• The contrast in experience and ranking makes the style matchup and competitive stakes significant for both men's trajectories