Ahead of UFC White House, we look at the top storylines going into the card. Today: the wild ascent of Josh Hokit.
The proof is there on YouTube.
The real Josh Hokit. No, not that real Josh Hokit.
The actual Josh Hokit is a former football player and hard-working contender who is looking to make the most of his career transition to professional MMA fighter. He made his professional debut at 25 years-old at the seminal Bellator 300 event in 2023, back then just making the most of the platform given. Fast forward three years later and Hokit remains undefeated at 9-0.
But that’s not the biggest change.
“The Incredible Hok” has embraced a relentless approach on the microphone that has led to trepidation for his promotional appearances that rivals that of middleweight champion Sean Strickland. There are shades of everyone in his on-stage persona, from the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage of the WWE to his friend and advisor Chael Sonnen whose 2010 verbal assault led to a Hall of Fame bout against the legendary Anderson Silva.
Put himself on the biggest stage with this fight! 😮💨@Josh_HokitUFC is looking for a repeat performance on June 14th!
[ #UFCWhiteHouse presented by @cryptocom & @ramtrucks ] pic.twitter.com/1S0RQrYbd2
— UFC (@ufc) May 18, 2026
Let’s be blunt, Hokit is not politically correct in many of his comments whether they be from his fake characters or otherwise. He crosses the unspoken lines of pre-fight talk in bringing in children, spouses, and more into his loud tirades. Ask him a question and he will say something. To be clear, that’s not the same as answering said question. It is brash, off-putting, and draws the ire of foes both current and potential alike. He plays the villain willingly and passionately. You can say he goes too far but he ascribes to the Chael Sonnen rule of playing the heel: bad guys never apologize.
The talk would be all bluster if not for the fact that the man can fight. This was never more evident than by his most recent match. Hokit took a leap as he went from fighting fellow developing professional Denzel Freeman to fighting former title challenger and perennially top five ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes. Blaydes had dispatched all manner of far more experienced foes than Hokit in his UFC career and has shared the cage with the best of the era. But in April, the promotion booked the two together and they put on what has been praised as the Fight of the Year so far. Despite Blaydes grappling and resilience, Hokit prevailed behind admirable tenacity. So exciting was the performance that UFC CEO Dana White claimed he had CFO Hunter Campbell approach Hokit that night as he was being loaded into an ambulance about fighting at the White House.
The stage is now set for a wild scene. Hokit is fighting a dangerous contender in Derrick Lewis who White has claimed is a personal favorite fighter of the United States’ President Donald Trump. Further, the anticipation for how far he is willing to push the bubble — if he doesn’t burst it altogether — has many fans wondering if the pre-fight press conference at the Lincoln Memorial will be the most shocking in the history of the UFC. The kickoff presser in Newark already saw insane scenes as Hokit had conflicts with two fighters he wasn’t even booked against and had to be removed from the scene.
What goes up must come down eventually. But should Hokit’s star continue to rise on Sunday, the one can only wonder just how far — and wild — his journey could go next.