Overview
- Curtis Blaydes says he won rounds one and three against Josh Hokit, arguing his clinch work and wrestling were undervalued following Saturday’s three-round decision in Miami.
- Blaydes left the arena with a fractured orbital and broken nose and was hospitalized, and he now has a reported 160-day medical suspension as he recovers off pain medication.
- Josh Hokit’s stock jumped into a June 14 White House card matchup with Derrick Lewis, a booking Dana White said came after requests from President Donald Trump and Joe Rogan.
- Paulo Costa says the UFC denied him a $100,000 bonus after his TKO of Azamat Murzakanov, says he texted Dana White and Hunter Campbell about it, and traded barbs on X with Hokit, who took home two bonuses reportedly totaling $200,000.
- Hokit and Blaydes have mixed respect and rivalry on social media, and the dispute has revived a familiar MMA debate over scoring damage versus control that could drive rematch calls and add pressure on bonus policies.