TLDR
- Unranked Josh Hokit defeated Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in Miami on April 10, 2026
- The pair set a new heavyweight striking record during their fight
- Blaydes suffered a broken nose and broken orbital bone from the battle
- Hokit absorbed heavy shots from the heavier Blaydes but outlasted him
- Hokit has been booked to fight Derrick Lewis at Freedom 250 event at the White House
Sources: MMA Junkie | Sherdog
Unranked heavyweight Josh Hokit pulled off a major upset at UFC 327 in Miami on April 10, 2026, defeating Curtis Blaydes in a record-breaking fight. The bout took place at the Kaseya Center and became one of the most talked-about fights of the night.
Hokit and Blaydes set a new heavyweight record for most strikes landed in a single fight. The majority of those strikes appeared to land on Blaydes’s face, according to observers at the event.
Hokit Withstands Heavy Punishment
Despite facing an opponent who outweighed him by 30 pounds, Hokit showed he could take heavy shots and keep fighting. The unranked fighter came out aggressively from the start and maintained his pace throughout the contest.
As the fight went on, both men emptied their gas tanks in the grueling battle. Hokit proved he had the chin to survive Blaydes’s power punches and the ability to stay competitive as the rounds progressed.
Blaydes paid a heavy price for the fight. He left UFC 327 with a broken nose and a broken orbital bone, injuries that will keep him out of action for some time.
The win came despite Hokit entering the octagon with no official ranking in the heavyweight division. His performance against a ranked opponent like Blaydes immediately changed his status in the division.
AM I RIGHT MIAMI? 🤪@Josh_HokitUFC earns the biggest win of his career with a decision victory at #UFC327!
[ LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/sysAsRPGSe
— UFC (@ufc) April 12, 2026
Lewis Fight Booked for Freedom 250
Following his victory, Hokit has been matched up with veteran heavyweight Derrick Lewis. The fight will take place at Freedom 250, an event scheduled to be held at the White House.
The matchup with Lewis represents a major step up in competition for Hokit. Lewis is a well-known name in the heavyweight division with years of experience against top-level opponents.
Hokit has developed a reputation for controversial behavior on the microphone and during promotional appearances. His antics have drawn comparisons to fighters like Colby Covington and late-career Chael Sonnen.
UFC President Dana White has publicly stated he is not a fan of Hokit’s promotional style. However, White has acknowledged that Hokit’s fighting ability is legitimate.
The UFC 327 card featured other major fights, including a light heavyweight title bout between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg in the main event. Ulberg won after catching Prochazka with a check left hook despite suffering an apparent knee injury early in the fight.
Aaron Pico also defeated Patricio Pitbull on the card in a battle between former Bellator fighters. The fight had been highly anticipated by fans who followed both men during their time in Bellator.
Despite these other fights, Hokit’s performance against Blaydes emerged as one of the most discussed results from the event. His ability to compete at such a high level against a heavier, more experienced opponent surprised many observers.
If Hokit defeats Lewis at Freedom 250, he will likely crack the top rankings in the heavyweight division. A loss would slow his progress but not eliminate him from contention given his performance at UFC 327.
The Freedom 250 event at the White House will mark Hokit’s next opportunity to prove his UFC 327 performance was not a one-time showing. His fight with Lewis is expected to be one of the featured bouts on the card.
