Curtis Blaydes has expressed genuine respect for Josh Hockett following their recent bout, despite disagreeing with Hockett's behavior and persona leading up to the fight. Blaydes stated it would be insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hockett's abilities after their encounter. While Blaydes admits he doesn't appreciate Hockett's personality or promotional tactics outside the cage, he acknowledges the New Zealander's fighting skills inside the Octagon. The heavyweight emphasized that once gloves are on and they're facing each other, respect is inevitable given what transpired. Blaydes' comments reflect a mature perspective on separating pre-fight promotion from actual combat performance.
Curtis Blaydes has come out in support of Josh Hockett following their recent heavyweight clash, offering a candid take that separates pre-fight theater from what happens once the cage door closes.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division, admitted he had little appreciation for Hockett's behavior and promotional style heading into the bout. But the 35-year-old American made clear it would be both insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Hockett's abilities after experiencing them firsthand. In Blaydes' view, once the gloves are on and two fighters are standing across from each other, respect becomes unavoidable.
The comments reflect a straightforward philosophy that many veteran fighters share: whatever happens in the build-up to a fight is separate from what unfolds inside the Octagon.
Blaydes, who trains out of Elevation Fight Team, carries a 19-6 record and has long been one of the more technically complete heavyweights in the world. Standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, he is a dominant force on the mat, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes over his career. His striking output is equally notable, with 3.56 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy — numbers that place him among the division's most well-rounded competitors.
Why it matters
- Blaydes remains a top-four heavyweight, and his public acknowledgment of Hockett adds credibility to the New Zealander as a legitimate divisional presence
- The post-fight respect signals that the bout was more competitive or impactful than pre-fight narratives may have suggested
- Blaydes' willingness to separate personality from performance reflects the measured mindset that has kept him relevant at the top of a brutal division for years
