Tonight’s UFC 327 essential card lineup featured the extremely anticipated heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit.
Blaydes (19-6 MMA) returns to the Octagon for the primary time since scoring a cut up choice victory over Rizvan Kniev in Baku in June of this yr. Previous to that victory, “Razor” suffered a first-round knockout loss to Tom Aspinall (watch it right here).
In the meantime, Josh Hokit (9-0 blended martial arts) entered tonight’s battle boasting an undefeated skilled report of 8-0. “The Unbelievable Hook” was finest seen in motion on the UFC 324 occasion in January, the place he scored a first-round TKO victory over Denzel Freeman.
This match was one of many greatest tilts in heavyweight historical past. The battle lasted till the tip, nevertheless it felt like the competition was about to be stopped a number of occasions throughout the 15-minute slugfest. Each gamers have been visibly upset on quite a few events, however Josh Hokit seemed to be the aggressor for a lot of the fan-friendly occasion. After three rounds of unbelievable punishment, “The Unbelievable Hock” walked away with a 29-28 unanimous choice victory on all three judges’ scorecards.
Try the professionals’ reactions to Hokit and Blaydes’ battle beneath.
If Josh wins, will he keep in mind all the things he memorized for his speech? #UFC327
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) April 12, 2026
Josh is a puzzler, okay, pure leisure Curtis is a beast, they should combine in some takedowns once more 100GS is coming there
— Terrence McKinney (@twrecks155) April 12, 2026
This is likely one of the craziest issues I’ve ever seen 🤯 #UFC327
— Mike Malott (@Michael_Malott) April 12, 2026
battle of the yr
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 12, 2026
What a battle🤯🤯🤯🤯
— Gilbert Burns Durinho (@GilbertDurinho) April 12, 2026
Hokit. Whether or not it is 30 wins, 27 losses or 29 wins, 28 losses, I believe it may be argued that Hokit wins in each instances. #UFC327
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) April 12, 2026
Josh Hawkitt and w
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) April 12, 2026
what. A. Combat. For those who’ve all the time hated Hokit, you will be actually pissed if his battle with Curtis Blaydes results in the UFC Corridor of Fame.
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 12, 2026
Love him or hate him, Josh Hokit was positively the speak of the city this week, particularly after a efficiency like that.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 12, 2026
It was actually onerous to imagine we made it to the third spherical. Curtis has the guts of a lion
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 12, 2026
What a loopy battle between heavyweights @ufc 327! #UFC327
— Mackenzie Dern (@MackenzieDern) April 12, 2026
Josh Hokit was the one man I wrestled my senior yr of school who really tried to beat me as a substitute of simply stalling.
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) April 12, 2026
After tonight’s battle card concluded, Dana White introduced in his post-game press convention that Josh Hokit would earn two efficiency bonuses and an extra $200,000. Hokit’s counterpart, Blaydes, obtained a one-time efficiency bonus ($100,000) for his efforts.
It was additionally introduced that “Unbelievable Hook” has already been booked for the following match. The bout is scheduled to happen towards Derrick The Black Beast Lewis on the UFC White Home occasion.
What did you consider tonight’s “Hokit vs. Blades” massacre?
