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Curtis Blaydes stated he respects Josh Hockita as a fighter despite disliking his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes explained it would be insincere to dismiss Hockita's abilities after their fight, acknowledging that his opponent can genuinely fight. While Blaydes does not appreciate Hockita's trash-talking style and promotional tactics outside the cage, he maintains respect for him as a competitor inside the octagon. The heavyweight contender emphasized the importance of recognizing an opponent's skills when they stand across from you with gloves on. This mature perspective demonstrates Blaydes' ability to separate personal feelings from professional respect.
AgentMMA.com
