Curtis Blaydes stated he respects Josh Hokit despite disliking his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes said it would be insincere and hypocritical to call Hokit names after their fight, acknowledging that Hokit can genuinely fight. He explained that while he doesn't appreciate Hokit's antics and "gimmicks," he cannot help but respect him inside the octagon when they face each other with gloves on. Blaydes' comments reflect a separation between personal feelings and professional respect for an opponent's fighting ability.
Curtis Blaydes made clear this week that whatever friction exists between him and Josh Hokit outside the cage, it ends the moment the gloves go on.
Speaking ahead of their matchup, Blaydes said he genuinely respects Hokit as a fighter despite having little patience for his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes was direct in stating that calling Hokit names after their fight would be insincere and hypocritical, because the man can genuinely fight. He drew a deliberate line between personal feelings and professional acknowledgment, saying Hokit's antics and gimmicks do not change what he sees when they face each other inside the octagon.
Blaydes, 35, is one of the most accomplished heavyweights in the division. The American wrestler out of Elevation Fight Team holds a 19-6-0 record and sits fourth in the UFC heavyweight rankings. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he brings serious physical tools to go along with an elite grappling game, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking is also productive, with 3.56 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Hokit, who fights out of the United States and carries the nickname "The Incredible Hok," enters the fight undefeated at 5-0-0 at just 28 years old. The perfect record signals legitimate promise at the heavyweight level.
Why it matters
- Blaydes is a ranked top-five heavyweight, making any loss costly to his title aspirations
- An unbeaten Hokit upsetting a proven contender would immediately reshape his standing in the division
- The contrast in styles and experience levels sets up a classic gatekeeper test for the younger fighter
- Blaydes separating personal dislike from competitive respect suggests he is taking Hokit seriously as a threat
