UFC 327: Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit Preview & Prediction
A heavyweight main card clash at UFC 327 sees Curtis Blaydes welcome the undefeated Josh Hokit to the big stage.
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit facts
What time are Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Kaseya Center, Miami, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 270
What TV channel is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg main card
Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg (Light Heavyweight)
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa (Light Heavyweight)
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Cub Swanson vs Nate Landwehr (Featherweight)
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg prelims
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Mateusz Gamrot vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)
Kevin Holland vs Randy Brown (Welterweight)
Tatiana Suarez vs Loopy Godinez (Womens Strawweight)
MarQuel Mederos vs Chris Padilla (Lightweight)
Kelvin Gastelum vs Vicente Luque (Middleweight)
Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado (Welterweight)
Curtis Blaydes: seasoned heavyweight contender looking to stay relevant at the top of the division
Curtis "Razor" Blaydes (19-5) has been one of the most consistent presences in the heavyweight division for the better part of a decade, having shared the cage with virtually every significant name at 265 pounds. Most recently, he picked up a statement TKO win over Jailton Almeida, no small feat, showing the ability to absorb takedowns, stay composed, and find the finish when the moment presented itself. Blaydes is a well-rounded heavyweight with good fundamental boxing, nice head movement, and a reliable jab that he mixes with leg kicks. His wrestling is solid on both ends, and his defensive wrestling showed up when it mattered most against Almeida, one of the best grapplers at heavyweight.
Josh Hokit: Undefeated prospect wanting to prove he's not just talk
Josh Hokit (8-0) is an exciting young heavyweight with genuine tools, decently fast hands for the division, heavy volume, good takedowns, and impressive transitional grappling shown in his finish over Denzel Freeman. His TKO of Max Gimenis further demonstrated his finishing power, though he does have a tendency to overextend on his right hand, lunging in with his whole body and leaving himself open to a counter over the top. His opponents to date haven't carried the striking pedigree or experience to punish the habit, but against Blaydes, that could tell a very different story.
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit prediction
The experience and proven high-level competition gap between these two is simply too wide. Blaydes has tested himself against the elite of the heavyweight division time and again, while Hokit's resume offers nothing close to that level of adversity.
Hokit will want to mix in the wrestling, but Blaydes, handled Almeida's grappling - a far more accomplished wrestler than Hokit, and still managed to find the finish. On the feet, Blaydes' jab and leg kicks should cause consistent problems for a fighter who hasn't faced much adversity yet in his career. That overextended right hand Hokit throws is an invitation for a hard counter, and Blaydes has the timing and boxing fundamentals to make him pay for it. Blaydes showed in his fight against Kuniev that his head movement and composure hold up even when he's getting hit, Hokit doesn't carry enough proven power to change that equation. This fight is just too early for Hokit.
Prediction: Curtis Blaydes to win
