Curtis Blaydes stated that he respects Josh Hewitt as a fighter despite disliking his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes explained it would be insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hewitt's abilities after their fight. While Blaydes dislikes Hewitt's antics and persona outside the cage, he emphasized that he must respect any opponent who steps into the Octagon with gloves on. Blaydes acknowledged that Hewitt can genuinely fight, separating his feelings about the person from his assessment of the fighter's skills.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear that whatever friction exists between him and Josh Hewitt away from competition, it does not extend to his evaluation of Hewitt's fighting ability.
In a recent interview, the ranked heavyweight contender separated his personal feelings from his professional assessment, stating that dismissing Hewitt's skills after sharing the Octagon with him would be both insincere and hypocritical. Blaydes acknowledged that Hewitt can genuinely fight, even while expressing a clear dislike for the man's personality and pre-fight antics.
Blaydes, 35, holds a 19-6-0 record and currently sits at number four in the UFC heavyweight division. The American fighter out of Elevation Fight Team stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, and his numbers reflect a well-rounded grappling-heavy game. He averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate — production that has kept him among the division's elite for several years.
Why it matters
- Blaydes ranks fourth at heavyweight, meaning any rivalry carries real divisional weight
- His willingness to credit Hewitt's skills suggests a competitive fight rather than a mismatch on the cards
- The friction between the two adds a personal edge to what is already a high-stakes matchup at the top of a stacked division
