Curtis Blaydes stated he respects Josh Hokit as a fighter despite not liking his personality and pre-fight behavior. Blaydes acknowledged that Hokit can genuinely fight and that it would be insincere or hypocritical to call him weak after their bout. He emphasized that while he doesn't appreciate Hokit's "gimmicks" and persona outside the cage, he must respect him as an opponent inside the octagon. Blaydes explained that respecting an opponent who stands across from you with gloves on is simply the right approach, regardless of personal feelings about their character.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear that whatever he thinks of Josh Hokit the person, he has no plans to disrespect Hokit the fighter after their bout.
Speaking in a recent interview, the fourth-ranked UFC heavyweight said he genuinely respects Hokit as a competitor inside the octagon, even while taking issue with his pre-fight behavior and overall persona. Blaydes acknowledged that calling Hokit weak or dismissing his ability would simply be dishonest. His view is straightforward: when someone stands across from you with gloves on, they have earned a base level of respect regardless of how you feel about their character outside the cage.
Blaydes, who fights out of Elevation Fight Team, is one of the more decorated heavyweights in the sport at 35 years old. The six-foot-four American carries an 80-inch reach and holds a professional record of 19-6-0. He averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, one of the higher rates in the division, and lands significant strikes at a rate of 3.56 per minute with 50 percent accuracy.
Hokit, 28, enters the matchup with a perfect 5-0-0 record and carries the nickname "The Incredible Hok." The undefeated record alone speaks to why Blaydes is drawing a firm line between personal dislike and professional assessment.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits at number four in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a stumble against any opponent carries real divisional consequences
- Hokit's unbeaten record gives him legitimate credibility as a rising heavyweight, whatever friction exists between the two fighters personally
- The stylistic contrast between Blaydes's elite wrestling volume and Hokit's undefeated but statistically limited profile sets up an interesting test for the younger fighter
