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UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg continues on the important card with a fight between Curtis Blaydes and Stewart Nicoll within the heavyweight division on Saturday. Take a look at our UFC odds series for our Blaydes-Hokit prediction and pick.
Curtis Blaydes (19-5, 1 NC) enters UFC 327 holding his top-five status. “Razor” recently secured a hard-fought split decision over Rizvan Kuniev, bouncing back from a fast knockout loss to interim champ Tom Aspinall. His suffocating wrestling will probably be tested as he comes into his fight this weekend against Josh Hokit.
Josh Hokit (8-0) enters UFC 327 as a terrifying undefeated prospect. The previous wrestling standout has finished every skilled opponent, most recently scoring back-to-back first-round TKO victories over Denzel Freeman and Max Gimenis. His explosive power and elite grappling will probably be tested as he comes into his fight this weekend against Curtis Blaydes.
UFC 327 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC 327 Odds: Curtis Blaydes-Josh Hokit Odds
Curtis Blaydes: -135
Josh Hokit: +114
Over 1.5 rounds: -188
Under 1.5 rounds: +145
Why Curtis Blaydes Will Win
Curtis Blaydes’ victory at UFC 327 will likely stem from his unparalleled experience against absolutely the elite of the heavyweight division. While Josh Hokit is a terrifying prospect, Blaydes has spent years trading blows with champions and perennial contenders like Tom Aspinall and Francis Ngannou.
This “big-fight” seasoning provides “Razor” with a composure and tactical awareness that a newcomer simply hasn’t developed yet. Blaydes also possesses a large physical advantage, typically weighing in near the 265-pound limit in comparison with Hokit’s leaner 236-pound frame.
In a division where size often translates to raw strength, Blaydes’ ability to utilize his weight within the clinch will probably be exhausting for the smaller man. Moreover, Blaydes’ wrestling is amongst probably the most dominant in UFC history, and he has the credentials to neutralize Hokit’s NCAA pedigree.
Even when Hokit manages to initiate a scramble, Blaydes’ defensive wrestling and veteran savvy should allow him to dictate where the fight takes place. On the feet, Curtis holds a big seven-inch reach advantage that he can use to pepper Hokit from the skin.
By keeping the fight at range together with his jab, Blaydes can frustrate the younger athlete and force him into desperate, low-percentage shots. Ultimately, the jump in competition is probably going too steep for the prospect to beat in only his ninth skilled outing.
Expect Blaydes to utilize a disciplined game plan, mixing his massive reach with heavy top control to stifle Hokit’s explosive athleticism. This veteran dominance will lead “Razor” to a methodical victory, proving there are still levels to the heavyweight division.
Why Josh Hokit Will Win
Josh Hokit enters UFC 327 as a terrifying heavyweight prospect with an unblemished 8-0 record and an ideal ending rate. His elite wrestling background as an NCAA All-American gives him the rare capability to neutralize Curtis Blaydes’ primary grappling offense.
The athleticism gap between the 28-year-old Hokit and the 35-year-old veteran is a glaring think about this divisional crossroads. Hokit’s fast-twitch speed and NFL-caliber explosiveness allow him to shut the space before Blaydes can establish his significant reach advantage.
Historically, Blaydes has struggled against heavyweights who can match his wrestling while possessing superior one-punch knockout power. Hokit’s recent first-round destructions reveal a level of “killer instinct” that Blaydes lacked in his sluggish decision over Rizvan Kuniev.
Moreover, the cumulative damage from Blaydes’ past knockout losses suggests his durability is wavering against the division’s younger hitters. Hokit’s ability to land devastating power early poses a large threat to a veteran with significant cage mileage.
By forcing a high-paced brawl, the undefeated prospect can exploit the defensive lapses that occur when Blaydes is pressured. His relentless output and superior conditioning will likely drown the veteran in deep, uncomfortable waters because the fight progresses.
Ultimately, the mix of wrestling parity and explosive ending ability makes this the proper moment for a changing of the guard. Expect Josh Hokit to secure an announcement victory and announce himself as a real contender this Saturday.
Final Curtis Blaydes-Josh Hokit Prediction & Pick
The heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit at UFC 327 in Miami serves as the final word “litmus test” for the division’s most hyped prospect. Blaydes stays the gold standard for heavyweight wrestling, having spent years neutralizing elite threats together with his massive frame and relentless double-legs.
Nonetheless, Hokit just isn’t your average newcomer, carrying an unblemished 8-0 record and a terrifying 100% finish rate into the Octagon. The previous NCAA All-American possesses a level of explosive athleticism and fast-twitch power that “Razor” hasn’t faced since his encounters with Francis Ngannou.
Blaydes’ path to victory relies on his massive weight advantage and the veteran savvy gained from five-round wars against the world’s best. If he can ground the smaller Hokit early, he’ll likely utilize his heavy top pressure to empty the gas tank of the undefeated phenom.
Conversely, Hokit’s speed and superior wrestling credentials could allow him to maintain the fight standing, where his one-punch knockout power is a relentless threat. Blaydes has shown vulnerability to heavy-handed strikers previously, and Hokit’s recent first-round destructions suggest he has the timing to seek out the chin.
While the veteran’s experience is a big factor, the “changing of the guard” feel on this matchup is difficult to disregard. Hokit represents the brand new breed of heavyweight athlete who can match the wrestling of a specialist while maintaining a punishing striking pace.
Ultimately, expect Hokit’s athleticism and relentless “killer instinct” to eventually overwhelm the seasoned veteran within the pocket. Josh Hokit secures a shocking second-round TKO, signaling his official arrival as a real title contender within the heavyweight division.
Final Curtis Blaydes-Josh Hokit Prediction & Pick: Josh Hokit (+114), Under 1.5 Rounds (+145)
UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg continues on the important card with a fight between Curtis Blaydes and Stewart Nicoll within the heavyweight division on Saturday. Take a look at our UFC odds series for our Blaydes-Hokit prediction and pick. Curtis Blaydes (19-5, 1 NC) enters UFC 327 holding his top-five status.