Curtis Blaydes revealed that he respects Josh Hockett as a fighter despite disliking his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes explained it would be insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hockett's abilities after their bout. While Blaydes does not appreciate Hockett's promotional tactics and persona outside the cage, he acknowledged that Hockett can fight at a high level. Blaydes stated he cannot help but respect someone who broke his orbital bone in competition. He emphasized the distinction between respecting an opponent's fighting skills versus liking their character or promotional style.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear that whatever animosity exists between himself and Josh Hockett stops at the cage door, acknowledging a genuine respect for his opponent's fighting ability despite a strong personal distaste for his conduct outside it.
Speaking in a recent interview, Blaydes drew a firm line between professional admiration and personal approval. The 35-year-old heavyweight said it would be dishonest and hypocritical to write off Hockett as a fighter after what the two shared inside the cage. His reasoning was pointed: Hockett broke his orbital bone during their bout, and that kind of damage commands respect regardless of how a man carries himself at press events or in promotional settings.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the heavyweight division, has built one of the more complete resumes the weight class has to offer. The Elevation Fight Team product carries a 19-6-0 professional record and brings a punishing combination of striking and wrestling to every outing. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages an elite 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that has defined his style throughout his career.
Why it matters
- Blaydes separating respect from personal dislike suggests their rivalry carries genuine heat heading forward
- The orbital bone detail confirms the bout was physically significant for Blaydes, adding credibility to his acknowledgment
- Blaydes remains a top-four heavyweight, meaning any opponents he faces in this stretch carry real divisional weight
His comments reflect a measured self-awareness rarely volunteered in fight promotion. Blaydes is not offering a truce or softening a rivalry — he is simply refusing to let personal friction cloud an honest assessment of a man who hurt him in competition.
