UFC heavyweight debutant Josh Hokit has surged into the top 5 of the divisional rankings following his impressive victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327.
Last weekend, Josh Hokit made a significant impact. Under the bright lights in Miami, he engaged in a fierce striking battle with one of the UFC’s top heavyweights, Curtis Blaydes. Despite facing considerable challenges, Hokit secured a major decision win, instantly establishing himself as a contender.
While other notable names remain in contention in the heavyweight division, Hokit is set for another significant test at UFC Freedom 250 when he faces Derrick Lewis, renowned as one of mixed martial arts’ greatest knockout artists.
According to the official UFC.com rankings, Hokit’s victory has officially earned him a spot in the heavyweight rankings.
The updated UFC heavyweight rankings:
- Champion: Tom Aspinall
- 1 – Ciryl Gane
- 2 – Alexander Volkov
- 3 – Sergei Pavlovich
- 4 – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- 5 – Josh Hokit (Unranked to Top 5)
- 6 – Serghei Spivac
- 6 – Curtis Blaydes (-1)
- 8 – Rizvan Kuniev (-1)
- 9 – Derrick Lewis (-1)
- 10 – Ante Delija (-1)
- 11 – Tyrell Fortune (-1)
- 12 – Marcin Tybura (-1)
- 13 – Tallison Teixeira (-1)
- 14 – Mick Parkin
- 15 – Shamil Gaziev (-2)
At just 28 years old, Hokit is remarkably young for the heavyweight division. His displayed speed is a rarity among heavyweights in recent history, comparable to that of champion Tom Aspinall.
While his fighting style might not appeal to everyone, a significant win at a major event could propel him to superstardom. Although nothing is guaranteed against powerful strikers, his future trajectory promises to be exciting.
For Blaydes, this loss signifies a need to reassess and identify areas for improvement in the constantly evolving heavyweight landscape.
