Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hawkett completed their first face-off before their scheduled fight at UFC 327. The staredown is part of the pre-fight promotional activities for the event. UFC 327 appears to feature multiple notable matchups on its card. The post invited fans to show support for their favored fighter through emoji reactions. No additional details about the fight or the fighters' current form were provided in the post.
Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hawkett squared off face-to-face for the first time on Wednesday as UFC 327 promotional activities got underway ahead of their scheduled heavyweight bout this Saturday.
Blaydes, known as "Razor," enters the fight ranked fourth in the heavyweight division with a record of 19 wins and 6 losses. The 35-year-old American trains out of Elevation Fight Team and brings a physically imposing frame to the octagon, standing six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach. His wrestling has long been the cornerstone of his game, averaging 5.38 takedowns per 15 minutes, and he backs it up with a credible striking output of 3.56 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Hawkett enters the matchup without verified ranking or record data available, meaning the bout represents a significant opportunity for the lesser-known heavyweight to announce himself on one of the sport's biggest stages.
Why it matters
- Blaydes is ranked fourth at heavyweight, so a loss could significantly damage his position in a congested division
- A win for Hawkett against a ranked, established contender would immediately elevate his heavyweight standing
- Blaydes's elite takedown volume sets up a compelling stylistic puzzle for any opponent looking to keep the fight standing
Saturday, April 11, 2026
