Curtis Blaydes shows respect for Josh Hockita despite pre-fight antics

Curtis Blaydes stated he respects Josh Hockita as a fighter despite disliking his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes explained it would be insincere and hypocritical to call Hockita names after their fight, acknowledging that his opponent can genuinely fight. While Blaydes doesn't appreciate Hockita's antics and persona outside the cage, he maintains respect for him inside the octagon when they face each other with gloves on. The heavyweight contender emphasized the importance of recognizing an opponent's fighting ability regardless of personal feelings. Blaydes' comments reflect a mature perspective on separating in-cage performance from out-of-cage behavior.