Curtis Blaydes stated he respects Josh Emmett's fighting ability despite not liking his personality or pre-fight antics. Blaydes explained it would be insincere and hypocritical to dismiss Emmett as just talk after their bout. While Blaydes doesn't enjoy Emmett's persona or promotional tactics outside the cage, he acknowledges that once they're facing each other with gloves on in the Octagon, he cannot help but respect his opponent's skills. The heavyweight contender emphasized the importance of recognizing an opponent's legitimate fighting capabilities regardless of personal feelings about their character or behavior leading up to the fight.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear that whatever friction exists between him and Josh Emmett outside the cage does not translate into a lack of respect once the gloves are on.
Speaking in a recent interview, the heavyweight contender addressed his complicated feelings toward Emmett directly. Blaydes said he finds Emmett's personality and pre-fight promotional tactics off-putting, but stressed it would be both insincere and hypocritical to dismiss him as simply all talk. In his view, separating personal dislike from genuine recognition of a fighter's ability is not only fair — it is necessary.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the heavyweight division at 35 years old, carries a 19-6 record fighting out of Colorado with Elevation Fight Team. The six-foot-four orthodox wrestler posts an impressive 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a 50 percent accuracy clip, making him one of the more well-rounded threats in the 265-pound weight class.
Emmett enters the conversation as a ranked featherweight, sitting ninth in the 145-pound division with a 19-7 record at 41 years old. The Team Alpha Male product stands five-foot-six with a 70-inch reach and has built his reputation on punch output, landing 3.67 significant strikes per minute across his career.
Why it matters
- Blaydes drawing a line between personal dislike and professional respect signals a level of competitive maturity that often reflects how seriously a fighter is preparing
- The acknowledgment keeps attention on Emmett's legitimate skills rather than any manufactured rivalry narrative
- Both fighters land significant strikes at a high rate per minute, pointing toward a potentially lively stylistic exchange whenever they meet
