Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight grinders Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit will duel this weekend (Sat., April 11, 2026) inside Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., for UFC 327.
It’s difficult to say where exactly 35-year-old Blaydes stands at this stage of his career. The former title challenger is not old for the division by any means, but he definitely looked a bit slower in his last appearance versus Rizvan Kuniev, though he did suffer a knee injury in that contest. Perhaps it was simply
a bad night for “Razor” Blaydes, who will have to be on his game opposite Hokit, one of the few rising young talents in the division. Hokit’s social media schtick is already played out, but few would deny the 28-year-old is an impressive athlete with clear potential. For better or worse, this is a major step up for “The Incredible Hok,” who could walk away from UFC 327 as a sudden player in the Heavyweight title mix.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
Blaydes vs. Hokit Betting Odds
- Curtis Blaydes victory: -138
- Curtis Blaydes via TKO/KO/DQ: +230
- Curtis Blaydes via submission: +2700
- Curtis Blaydes via decision: +270
- Josh Hokit victory: +108
- Josh Hokit via TKO/KO/DQ: +260
- Josh Hokit via submission: +850
- Josh Hokit via decision: +550
- Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
How Blaydes Wins
Blaydes has always been a wrestler trying his best on the feet. There are fights where his dedication pays off, and he looks smother and more fluid in his boxing, like when he knocked out Junior dos Santos. In other bouts, the disconnect between his boxing and wrestling show, and he looks a lot more limited. At 35, he’s unlikely to fully synchronize, but he’s still quite capable in both realms.
At any rate, Blaydes wins this fight by making Hokit pay for his aggression. It’s easy to play the bully when enjoying a wrestling and athleticism advantage, but Blaydes — who is significantly larger than Hokit — should be able to counter Hokit’s pressure more effectively than previous opponents.
First and foremost, Blaydes has an 80 inch reach and stiff 1-2. He should be popping Hokit with the jab, making the younger man walk through fire. If his jab is landing, Blaydes will have the timing on his reactive double leg as well. Thus far, Hokit has worn down his opponents quickly, but if he’s put on his back by the bigger man, he may find himself gasping for air.
In short, straight punches and well-timed takedowns will force Hokit to settle down if not finish him outright.
How Hokit Wins
Hokit has a collegiate wrestling background, but it’s his general athleticism that’s really carrying him through the UFC so far. As a mid-sized Heavyweight, he follows the Cain Velasquez strategy of pushing a high pace and forcing his opponents to keep up. He strikes into takedowns and vice versa better than most, which helps him grind down opposition.
All eight of his pro victories come via stoppage.
For reasons expressed above, I think Hokit has to turn down the aggression a bit here, as he does not want to give up easy takedowns. For Hokit, the goal is to capitalize on his speed, fluidity, and volume without getting grounded in the process, which will require a more deft hand than he’s shown thus far (unless Blaydes is totally washed).
That’s the nature of these step-up-in-competition matchups. Hokit is going to have to pick his shots well and build combinations without the benefit of his opponent being terrified of the wrestling. He cannot just crash forward against an opponent who wants to take him down. If Hokit can still throw in numbers without exposing hips, he has a real shot at the upset here and is ready for the division’s best.
Blaydes vs. Hokit Prediction
I think this is a case of too much, too soon.
Recent UFC Heavyweight matchmaking gives us this scenario fairly often. Any time a young, unranked fighter wins a bout or two, the promotion immediately throws them into the fire against a battle-tested veteran. Has it worked out for the young prospect a single time yet? Heavyweight is a division where the stakes are so high that experience is incredibly valuable, and that’s why it historically is run by an older class of fighters.
Hokit has never been the lesser wrestler in a matchup before, and his whole game is reliant on the threat of his physicality. Unless he has a heretofore unseen depth of skill in his back pocket, I believe Hokit winds up on his back looking far slower than usual when he tries to rush the longtime veteran.
