Josh Hewitt made headlines at media day with an extremely strange and graphic speech directed at Curtis Blaydes and other ranked heavyweights. Hewitt stated he would defeat Blaydes, then made disturbing comments involving Alex Pereira and creating a "human centipede" from ranked fighters that he would walk on a leash. The outlandish nature of his comments drew comparisons to Gene Silva's unusual behavior. Hewitt's unorthodox promotional approach raised eyebrows across the MMA community.
Josh Hewitt turned media day into something far outside the ordinary on April 8, 2026, delivering a speech directed at Curtis Blaydes and other ranked heavyweights that left the MMA community equal parts baffled and disturbed.
Hewitt declared he would beat Blaydes, then escalated into territory few fighters have ventured, invoking light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and describing a graphic scenario in which he would chain ranked fighters together — in the manner of a human centipede — and parade them on a leash. The comments drew immediate comparisons to the eccentric promotional behavior associated with Gene Silva.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the heavyweight division, is one of the more decorated grapplers in the UFC. The 35-year-old American out of Elevation Fight Team carries a 19-6 record and averages an eye-catching 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a persistent nightmare for anyone without elite takedown defense. His six-foot-four frame and an 80-inch reach give him a formidable physical presence at heavyweight.
Pereira, meanwhile, sits atop the light heavyweight division at 38 years old, holding a 13-4 record under the Teixeira MMA and Fitness banner. The Brazilian known as Poatan lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a 62 percent accuracy rate — numbers that place him among the most efficient strikers in the sport.
Why it matters
- Hewitt's comments thrust him into the spotlight without a widely publicized fight announcement, suggesting a calculated, if unconventional, attempt at visibility.
- Targeting a top-five heavyweight and a reigning champion in the same breath signals Hewitt is positioning himself as a contender-level presence in the division.
- The comparison to Gene Silva raises questions about where the line sits between disruptive self-promotion and conduct that alienates fans and promotional partners.
- Blaydes, as the named primary target, may face pressure to respond, which could accelerate booking discussions.
