‘Best heavyweight fight I have ever seen’: Pros react to Josh Hokit’s insane brawl with Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: (R-L) Josh Hokit gestures towards Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes put on a heavyweight fight for the ages.

The big boys delivered a truly unbelievable 15 minutes of action Saturday at UFC 327 in Miami, looking like either could end the fight in seconds and instead having to batter and bloody each other for three rounds. Somehow, Hokit and Blaydes kept up a flyweight pace through it all, trading haymakers in close, jabbing each other’s faces off from distance, and elbowing and kneeing each other in the clinch.

In the end, Hokit held on to his undefeated record with a well-earned unanimous decision win over a veteran top 10 contender. Blaydes takes the loss, but undoubtedly leaves Kaseya Center with a newfound appreciation from the fans. Don’t be surprised if the matchmakers decide to have these two run it back someday.

For now, Hokit and Blaydes—who were both transferred to the hospital afterward—can bask in the admiration of their peers and presumably a $100,000 bonus when Saturday’s Fight of the Night award is announced.

See how pros reacted to the unreal action below.

The best heavyweight fight i have ever seen . Hokit and Blaydes that was amazing 💯 #MMA#UFC327

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 12, 2026

That was the best heavyweight fight I have ever seen #UFC327

Josh Hokit is amazing

— Kevin Vallejos (@ElChinoVallejos) April 12, 2026

That was insane I can’t believe it went all 3 round. Curtis has the heart of a lion

— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 12, 2026

Fight of year

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 12, 2026

EASILY FOTY#UFC327

— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) April 12, 2026

What a crazy fight for the Heavyweights at @ufc 327! #UFC327

— MackenzieDern (@MackenzieDern) April 12, 2026

Josh Hokit with the w

— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) April 12, 2026

What. A. Fight. If you hated Hokit before you’re gonna be really pissed when his fight with Curtis Blades goes into the UFC hall of fame

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 12, 2026

Insane fight think Hokit takes it but blades got a chin on him, 2 warriors

— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) April 12, 2026

Hokit should take it here but WOW! Both him and Blaydes are absolute SAVAGES! Crazy fight! Mark Hunt vs Bigfoot was still better tho. 😬

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 12, 2026

That's a draw and an immediate rematch #ufc327

— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) April 12, 2026

What a fight 🤯🤯🤯🤯

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 12, 2026

This is the most technical heavyweight fight I have ever seen. #UFC327

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) April 12, 2026