Josh Hockett made a strange and graphic statement during a UFC 327 media day appearance. He claimed he would defeat Curtis Blaydes, then described a grotesque hypothetical scenario involving multiple ranked fighters in disturbing detail. Hockett, who fights under the nickname "The Incredible Hulk," said he would decapitate Blaydes and attach his head to Alex Pereira's body, then create a bizarre "human centipede" formation using fighters ranked numbers one through three, which he would keep on a leash in his yard. The outlandish comments drew comparisons to recent similar behavior from Gene Silva, with fans questioning what substances Hockett might have taken before the appearance.
Josh Hockett stole the spotlight at a UFC 327 media day appearance on April 8 for all the wrong reasons, delivering a graphic and bizarre monologue that left observers bewildered ahead of the pay-per-view event scheduled for April 11.
Hockett, who fights under the nickname "The Incredible Hulk," directed his comments at heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes before veering into deeply unsettling territory. He claimed he would defeat Blaydes, then described a grotesque hypothetical in which he would decapitate Blaydes and attach his head to the body of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. From there, the remarks escalated further, with Hockett describing a so-called "human centipede" arrangement involving the fighters ranked first through third in an unspecified division, which he said he would keep on a leash in his yard. Fans quickly drew comparisons to recent erratic behavior from fellow fighter Gene Silva, with many openly questioning Hockett's state of mind during the appearance.
Blaydes, the number-four ranked heavyweight at 35 years old, carries a 19-6 record and is one of the more accomplished wrestlers in the division, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes for Elevation Fight Team. The American stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion from Brazil, is 38 years old and holds a 13-4 record fighting out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness. The six-foot-four Poatan is one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a 62 percent accuracy rate, with a 79-inch reach.
Why it matters
- The comments add unusual pre-fight chaos to the UFC 327 build-up
- Blaydes, ranked fourth at heavyweight, has meaningful divisional stakes riding on his next outing
- The incident renews questions about conduct standards at official media events
- Hockett's remarks dragged an unrelated champion into a controversy he had no part in creating
Saturday, April 11, 2026
