Curtis Blaydes commented on his opponent Josh Hewett's trash-talking approach ahead of their UFC 327 matchup. Blaydes compared Hewett to Colby Covington, saying Hewett is trying to occupy that niche but noted that Covington at least backed up his talk with skill. Blaydes stated that engaging with Hewett outside of fight night is a waste of time. He suggested Hewett is simply trying to create viral video moments rather than focusing on the actual competition. Blaydes made it clear he won't participate in the pre-fight antics and will handle business when they meet in the cage on April 11.
Curtis Blaydes has made clear he has no interest in playing along with Josh Hewett's pre-fight theatrics ahead of their heavyweight clash at UFC 327 on April 11.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the UFC heavyweight division at 35 years old, drew a pointed comparison between Hewett and welterweight veteran Colby Covington when addressing his opponent's trash-talking campaign. The six-foot-four American, who fights out of Elevation Fight Team and carries a 19-6 record, acknowledged that Covington at least paired his confrontational style with genuine ability inside the cage. The implication was that Hewett has not yet earned the same credibility for his antics.
Blaydes added that engaging with Hewett before fight night is simply a waste of his time, suggesting Hewett is more interested in manufacturing viral moments than preparing for the actual contest. "Razor" made it plain he will not be drawn into any back-and-forth and intends to let the performance on fight night speak for itself. Blaydes boasts a striking accuracy of 50 percent and averages more than five takedowns per fifteen minutes, making him one of the most well-rounded and statistically efficient fighters in the heavyweight ranks.
Covington, the 38-year-old former interim welterweight champion from Blaydes' own country, built a career on relentless pressure and a takedown rate of 3.64 per fifteen minutes to go alongside his well-documented verbal provocations. Blaydes' point was straightforward: talk means little unless the performance follows.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits fourth in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong showing keeps him firmly in title contention
- Hewett's willingness to generate publicity through controversy could shift attention away from the athletic matchup itself
- Blaydes' elite grappling output and above-average striking accuracy make him a dangerous opponent for any heavyweight regardless of the psychological lead-up
Saturday, April 11, 2026
