Josh Hokit Climbs to Top 5 UFC Heavyweight Rankings After Blaydes Victory
UFC heavyweight newcomer Josh Hokit has made a significant impact, ascending into the top 5 of the divisional rankings following his thrilling victory against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327.
Last weekend, Josh Hokit made a powerful statement. Under the bright lights in Miami, he engaged in a back-and-forth battle with a top UFC heavyweight, Curtis Blaydes. Despite facing considerable challenges, Hokit secured a crucial decision win, immediately positioning himself as a contender.
While other prominent heavyweights remain in contention, Hokit is set for another significant test at UFC Freedom 250. He is scheduled to face Derrick Lewis, renowned as one of mixed martial arts' most formidable knockout artists.
According to the official UFC.com rankings, Hokit's recent win has earned him a spot in the heavyweight rankings.
👏 📊 Josh Hokit goes from unranked to Top-5 UFC Heavyweight with a win over Curtis Blaydes.
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 14, 2026
Looks like he might be one fight away from a title shot. pic.twitter.com/KaBk7ZGny2
Josh Hokit Joins Top 5 of UFC Heavyweight Rankings
The current UFC heavyweight rankings are as follows:
- C – Tom Aspinall
- 1 – Ciryl Gane
- 2 – Alexander Volkov
- 3 – Sergei Pavlovich
- 4 – Waldo Cortes Acosta
- 5 – Josh Hokit (Previously Unranked)
- 6 – Serghei Spivac
- 6 – Curtis Blaydes (Down 1 spot)
- 8 – Rizvan Kuniev (Down 1 spot)
- 9 – Derrick Lewis (Down 1 spot)
- 10 – Ante Delija (Down 1 spot)
- 11 – Tyrell Fortune (Down 1 spot)
- 12 – Marcin Tybura (Down 1 spot)
- 13 – Tallison Teixeira (Down 1 spot)
- 14 – Mick Parkin
- 15 – Shamil Gaziev (Down 2 spots)
At just 28 years old, Hokit is remarkably young for the heavyweight division. His speed and agility have been compared to a select few other heavyweights in recent history, including the current champion, Tom Aspinall.
While his personality might not resonate with everyone, a significant victory in a high-profile bout could propel him to superstardom. Despite the inherent unpredictability of striking-heavy divisions, Hokit's career trajectory promises to be captivating.
For Blaydes, this loss signifies a need to reassess and identify areas for improvement within the constantly evolving heavyweight landscape.
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