Curtis Blaydes stated that he respects Josh Hewett as a fighter despite not appreciating his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes explained it would be insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hewett's abilities just because he dislikes his antics. He acknowledged that Hewett can genuinely fight and that once they're in the octagon with gloves on, respect must be given. While Blaydes doesn't enjoy Hewett's "gimmicks" and persona outside the cage, he maintains respect for him as a competitor inside it. The heavyweight contender emphasized the importance of recognizing an opponent's skills regardless of personal feelings.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear that personal distaste for an opponent does not translate into underestimating him, stating publicly that he holds genuine respect for Josh Hewett as a fighter despite having little appreciation for his personality and pre-fight behavior.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division, said it would be both insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hewett's abilities simply because he dislikes the man's antics outside the cage. The 35-year-old American acknowledged that once the gloves are on and both men are inside the octagon, respect has to be given — regardless of whatever "gimmicks" Hewett brings to the build-up.
The sentiment reflects a measured professionalism that has defined much of Blaydes' career at the top of the heavyweight division. Fighting out of Elevation Fight Team, the six-foot-four, 193-centimeter contender carries an 80-inch reach and a career record of 19 wins and 6 losses. He ranks among the most active wrestlers in the division, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, and lands strikes at a rate of 3.56 significant strikes per minute with 50 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits fourth in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a performance against Hewett carries real divisional weight
- His comments signal he is treating Hewett as a legitimate threat rather than a stepover, which sets a focused tone heading into the fight
- The contrast in styles and personalities between the two heavyweights adds an extra layer of tension to what is already a high-stakes matchup at the top of the division
