Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes addressed his opponent Josh Hunit's trash-talking approach ahead of their fight. Blaydes compared Hunit's style to Colby Covington but noted that Covington at least backed it up with skill. Blaydes stated he won't participate in the theatrics and views Hunit's behavior as attention-seeking for viral video moments. The American said engaging with Hunit outside of fight night would be a waste of time. Blaydes appears focused on the in-cage performance rather than the buildup drama.
Curtis Blaydes has weighed in on the prefight antics of Josh Hunit, making clear he has little interest in matching his opponent's provocative energy ahead of their upcoming heavyweight bout.
Blaydes, ranked fourth in the heavyweight division, drew a pointed comparison between Hunit and welterweight veteran Colby Covington, though not entirely in Hunit's favor. The 35-year-old acknowledged that Covington, who carries a 17-5 record and has built a career around his brash persona, at least has the in-cage credentials to support his behavior. Blaydes suggested Hunit does not yet occupy the same standing, framing the trash talk as a chase for viral moments rather than genuine competitive intensity.
The Elevation Fight Team product, who stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, holds a 19-6 record and brings legitimate pressure to any heavyweight matchup. He averages 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a 50 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect a grounded, technical approach rather than a flair for spectacle.
Blaydes made it plain that engaging with Hunit during the buildup would be a waste of his time. His focus, by his own account, is entirely on what happens inside the cage on fight night.
Why it matters
- Blaydes sits fourth in the heavyweight rankings, meaning a strong performance carries real divisional weight
- His dismissal of Hunit's behavior signals a composed, game-plan-focused mindset heading into the contest
- The stylistic contrast between Blaydes's methodical wrestling-heavy game and Hunit's apparent taste for chaos sets up an intriguing dynamic when the two finally meet
