Unranked, Unproven Heavyweight Gifted Shot at Top 5 Opponent

The UFC have released more fights for UFC 327, and one of the more surprising inclusions is Josh Hokit vs Curtis Blaydes. Despite not being ranked, tested or given any tough opposition, Josh Hokit has been gifted a chance at a top-five-ranked heavyweight in Blaydes.

No slowing down 😤

These #UFC327 matchups just turned Miami up a notch! pic.twitter.com/kYw6is3MDq

— UFC (@ufc) February 24, 2026

Josh Hokit vs Curtis Blaydes to Meet in Miami

The Incredible Hok Gifted Chance at Top 5 Opponent

The Incredible Hok has just two UFC fights, however, has made a splash in both. After gaining a contract on the Contender Series, Josh Hokit impressively debuted in November. It took him just 56 seconds to finish Max Gimenis.

Next came a January date with Denzel Freeman at UFC 324 in a truly awful fight. Although Hokit won via first-round retirement, it was a dreadful look for all involved. Freeman appeared to be uninterested in being in the octagon, as evidenced by his output. He threw a total of eight strikes, landing none. Hokit, despite having a punching bag in front of him and landing 71 total strikes, couldn’t get his opponent out of there cleanly; rather had to rely on Freeman quitting.

Taking to the mic in a classic, cringy, Colby Covington style, Hokit cut a promo on the mic that got him into the position that he finds himself in now.

The Blaydes Disrespect Continues

Curtis Blaydes is one of the most talented and disrespected fighters in the UFC today. He’s an elite wrestler, holds a win over the current heavyweight champion (albeit via injury) and has dominated some of the best in the world.

Despite being ranked #4, Blaydes is being offered unproven guys who have no business mixing it with the top 15, let alone the top five.

The American welcomed proven drug cheat, Rizvan Kuniev, to the UFC last time out, defeating him via split decision in a fight that did nothing for Blaydes’ ranking. For context, he was coming off a loss in an interim title fight, only to be given an unranked debutant in his next fight.

At least Kuniev had a respected reputation outside of the UFC. Josh Hokit is 8-0 having only competed on regional circuits or against poor-level fighters during his UFC run.

It shows just how shallow and weak the heavyweight division is. The champion is out injured due to a foul in a fight. The #1 guy is waiting for the champion. #2, Alexander Volkov has comprehensive losses to the two men ranked above him. Sergei Pavlovich is not championship-level. Waldo Cortes-Acosta is exciting and a fight against Blaydes would have made a lot of sense, but instead, the unranked 2-0 Josh Hokit gets the chance…