Josh Hockit has been criticized for adopting an exaggerated persona throughout 2026 after his Bellator 300 debut in October 2023. The post contrasts his normal demeanor at his MMA debut, where he thanked coaches, parents and fans, with his current behavior. While Hockit was authentic even six months ago, he has since fallen into playing a character full-time. His antics at weigh-ins and interviews, including a January interview with Ariel Helwani where he acted maniacal throughout, have become difficult to watch. The author suggests that while such behavior generates views for short-form content, constantly clowning around quickly becomes tiresome and Hockit needs to show moderation.
