🩸 Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit Prediction, Picks & Odds: Hokit Will Back Up All the Trash Talk

Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit clash today at UFC 327 in a battle of an established heavyweight and a rising, undefeated prospect. Blaydes, the No. 5 ranked heavyweight, is a short -125 betting favorite against the unranked Hokit.

My best Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit prediction breaks down why I think the wrong fighter is favorited, and I've also found some plus-money prop bets to round out my UFC 327 betting preview. 

The action will stream on Paramount+, with the early prelims starting at 5:30 p.m. ET, through the prelims at 7 p.m. ET and the main card at 9 p.m. ET.

🩸 Blaydes vs. Hokit predictions: UFC 327

See all of our UFC picks for this weekend's fights; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

Total wagered: 3.3 units | Max profit: 6.67 units

💰 Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit best bet: Hokit TKO (+260)

Blaydes is a tenured veteran at this point who is well respected, but at 35 years old and coming off a major knee surgery, it's tough to see him at the top of his game. All five of his career losses are by TKO within two rounds, and those durability issues aren't going to get any better the longer time goes on.

Hokit is seven years younger, undefeated, and has a 100% finish rate after eight professional fights. Simply put, "The Incredible Hok" is gonna come out swinging early, and Blaydes just doesn't have the chin to weather the storm anymore.

🆚 Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit fight preview

Check our best UFC betting sites for the latest odds for this fight.

If you look past all of his bizarre antics outside the cage, you can see that Hokit has all the makings to be a top contender in the heavyweight division. A former two-time NCAA DI All-American in wrestling, Hokit also had a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL after making the team as a walk-on.

Fans have been begging to see more high-level heavyweight athletes compete in MMA, and Hokit looks to be one of these guys. Blaydes' biggest weapons have always been in wrestling and cardio, but he appears to have met his match here in both those areas.

Prediction: Josh Hokit to win (+106 via FanDuel) 

💡 How I'm handicapping Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit

I'm looking to capitalize on everyone's disdain for Hokit and the gimmick he's been portraying since his Dana White Contender Series win last summer. Fans seem to unanimously agree they all want to see Hokit get beaten up, and that emotion is driving the number in Blaydes' favor.

Look past the drama, and you'll see that a 28-year-old accomplished wrestler with NFL-level athleticism and a 100% finish rate is something to get excited for. Hokit is already the betting underdog, and all his prop plays provide solid value as well, so you don't have to bet huge to get a good return. 

📊 Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit odds

Odds via BetMGM; subject to change.

⚖️ Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit tale of the tape

📺 How to watch Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit: UFC 327

• Date: Saturday, April 11
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET (early prelims), 9 p.m. ET (main card)
• Location: Kaseya Center (Miami)
• Streaming: Paramount+