Curtis Blaydes still not sold on Josh Hokit’s long-term future at heavyweight, but explains why he can beat Derrick Lewis

Curtis Blaydes offered a measured assessment of Josh Hokit's UFC future following their recent three-round heavyweight battle, acknowledging the undefeated fighter's toughness while raising concerns about his long-term viability at heavyweight.

Hokit's willingness to accept a quick turnaround fight against Derrick Lewis at the UFC's White House event on June 14—just two months after his war with Blaydes—impressed the veteran, but Blaydes cautioned that the cumulative toll of such wars could prove costly. He specifically worried about damage to Hokit's jaw, arguing that repeated exposure to heavyweight-level striking might eventually force the younger fighter to reconsider his weight class.

"He has a good young jaw," Blaydes told MMA Fighting. "You do that three or four times, that jaw is going to be gone." Blaydes suggested that Hokit might be better suited to light heavyweight, where his wrestling prowess would remain an asset while opponents hit with less force.

Despite those reservations, Blaydes identified a clear path for Hokit to defeat Lewis. The "Black Beast" is now 41 and has posted a 3–5 record over his last eight fights, a stark contrast to Hokit's undefeated UFC ledger. However, Blaydes cautioned that Lewis's motivation level remains unpredictable; a hungry version could pose serious problems even for the fresher Hokit, while a disengaged Lewis could fall to Hokit's wrestling.

Blaydes stopped short of naming Hokit a future heavyweight champion, pointing out that one impressive victory—even against a top contender—doesn't guarantee success against the division's elite. Volkov, he suggested, would present a different stylistic puzzle. "We don't have enough information," Blaydes concluded. "It's all projections."