Curtis Blaydes has expressed respect for Josh Hockett despite Hockett's trash talk and behavior leading up to their fight. Blaydes stated it would be insincere and hypocritical to call Hockett derogatory names after their bout. While Blaydes says he doesn't like Hockett's personality or his promotional tactics, he respects him as a fighter inside the octagon. Blaydes emphasized that when they stand across from each other with gloves on, he has no choice but to respect Hockett's fighting ability. The comments reflect Blaydes' professional attitude toward separating personal feelings from competitive respect.
Curtis Blaydes has drawn a clear line between personal distaste and professional respect when it comes to his upcoming opponent Josh Hockett, expressing measured admiration for the fighter despite friction in the build-up to their bout.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division, acknowledged that Hockett's trash talk and promotional tactics rubbed him the wrong way. However, the 35-year-old from the United States was equally direct in refusing to let that animosity spill into disrespect for what Hockett brings inside the octagon. Blaydes said it would be insincere and hypocritical to hurl derogatory names at his opponent after the fight, framing his stance as a matter of personal integrity. When gloves are on and two men stand across from each other, he said, respect for fighting ability is not optional — it is earned by the act of competing itself.
Blaydes, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a 19-6 record and has long been one of the most technically complete heavyweights in the promotion. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence, and his numbers back up that reputation. He averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, one of the higher rates in the division, while landing 3.56 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy clip — a combination that makes him dangerous on the feet and nearly unstoppable when he chooses to wrestle.
Why it matters
- Blaydes holds the fourth-ranked spot in the heavyweight division, meaning every result has direct title-picture implications
- His comments suggest a composed, focused mindset heading into the fight despite the noise surrounding Hockett's conduct
- The stylistic contrast between Blaydes' high-volume grappling and whatever Hockett brings sets up an intriguing competitive test at heavyweight
