Undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit will get the chance to break into the rankings at UFC 327 when he meets #4-ranked contender Curtis Blaydes.
One of the UFC’s fastest-rising heavyweight contenders will have the chance to break straight into the division’s Top 5 when he competes at UFC 327.get a massive step up in competitionStill only eight fights into his professional MMA career, Hokit has quickly established himself as a heavyweight on the rise thanks to both his in-cage performances and his work on the microphone.
“The Incredible Hok” made his debut at Bellator 300 in 2023 and got his hand raised via third-round submission. He returned the following year and scored another submission-victory before moving on to the LFA, where he scored three first-round finishes during the first half of 2025 and went on to win a UFC contract when he also stopped Guilherme Uriel in the second round of theirJosh Hokit reacts after the fight against Denzel Freeman during UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Hokit scored his fifth win of the year when he made his formal UFC debut in November and knocked out Max Gimenis in just 56 seconds, and the 28-year-old earned his second “Performance of the Night” bonus out of as many UFC fights when he stopped Denzel Freeman at UFC 324.As impressive as he’s looked in the Octagon thus far, Hokit is getting a fairly dramatic step up in competition at UFC 327 with #4-ranked heavyweight contender Blaydes. A member of the UFC roster since 2016, Blaydes holds wins over a number of the heavyweight division’s top names and fought Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight belt at UFC 304. After being knocked out just a minute into that fight, “Razor” returned last June and spoiled Rizan Kuniev’s promotional debut when he took a split decision over Kuniev at UFC Baku. Curtis Blaydes reacts after defeating Jailton Almeida during UFC 299 at Kaseya Center. | Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports A win over Blaydes would establish Hokit as a legitimate force in the UFC heavyweight division, and the fight is an intriguing addition to a UFC 327 card that is currently shaping up like this.Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.A Polarizing Vote Has Boxing on Its Way to a UFC-Style Makeover
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nebraska Softball Clinches Undefeated Weekend with Wins Over Seattle, CalNebraska softball clinched an undefeated weekend with dominant wins over Seattle and Cal at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
Read more »
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Set for Midweek Clash Against Undefeated LIURutgers Scarlet Knights men's lacrosse returns to the field Tuesday for its only midweek matchup of the season, taking on unbeaten LIU Sharks.
Read more »
Lincoln to Get Bronco-Based Range Rover-FighterImagine a Nautilus with the face of the Bronco and you’re probably close.
Read more »
Lockheed flight-tests F-35 fighter with AI to help pilots identify threats fasterLockheed Martin claimed it is the 'first time a tactical AI model has been used in flight to generate an independent Combat ID.'
Read more »
How The Street Fighter Movie Cast Compares To The Video Game CharactersCallina Liang as Chun-Li in Street Fighter 2026
Read more »
Ex-UFC Champ Merab Dvalishvili to Compete Outside UFC for First Time Since 2021'The Machine' will remain active in combat sports this April, but it won't be in the UFC.
Read more »