Josh Hokit left UFC 327 as one of the most talked-about fighters of the event. The American heavyweight starred in one of the wildest fights on the card by defeating Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision after three rounds full of violent exchanges, constant pressure and a show that kept the audience on their feet for a good part of the fight.
From the first minute it was clear that Hokit had not only come to fight, but also to put on his own show. The American pressured Blaydes from the start, connecting forceful punches and maintaining a very high pace for a heavyweight fight. During several moments of the fight he even allowed himself provocative gestures and small taunts aimed at his opponent, trying to get into his head while the fight continued to unfold.
The duel ended up becoming a real fifteen-minute war. Both fighters exchanged a huge amount of blows and ended up with very punished faces. The intensity was such that the two ended up being taken to the hospital after the fight as a precautionary measure. Even so, the judges agreed on the scorecards and awarded Hokit a 29-28 victory in all three cases.
The fight was not only one of the most entertaining of the night, but it also broke records within the heavyweight division. Between them they landed more than 350 significant punches, an unusual figure in fights of this category, which explains why many analysts described her as a clear candidate for fight of the year.
Hokit's performance was immediately rewarded. The American took two financial bonuses after the event and left the 327th UFC with one of the biggest checks of the night. But the biggest prize came a few hours later.
After his performance in Miami, the UFC announced that Hokit will be part of one of the most striking cards of the year: the event that the organization plans to hold at the White House. On that evening the American will face Derrick Lewis, one of the most dangerous and experienced names in the heavyweight division.
The fight is a huge leap for Hokit within the organization. In just a few fights within the UFC he has gone from being an emerging promise to starring in one of the most curious confrontations on the calendar. If he manages to maintain the level shown against Blaydes, the American could quickly consolidate himself as one of the new names to follow in the category.