Analysis of Josh Hokit's performance suggests he can fight more defensively to avoid absorbing heavy shots, but his established fighting persona requires maintaining an aggressive approach. While he successfully defeated Blaydes, the analyst warns that such reckless attacks would lead to knockout losses against fighters like Pereira or Pavlovich. Despite the criticism, Hokit showed improvement with heavier punches maintaining power even in the third round and effective elbow work under Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn's coaching. His wrestling defense proved excellent, easily stuffing Blaydes' takedown attempts. However, the analyst notes Hokit's deviant fighting behavior, while mismatched with his coaches' philosophy, aligns perfectly with Trump and Dana White's preferences. A potential matchup with Derrick Lewis is mentioned, though concerns exist that Lewis may prioritize money and safety over victory.
Josh Hokit walked away with a victory over Curtis Blaydes, but a post-fight analysis has raised pointed questions about whether his freewheeling, attack-first style is sustainable at the highest levels of heavyweight competition.
Hokit, training under the renowned coaching duo of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, showed genuine improvement in the Blaydes fight. His punches carried heavier impact and maintained their power through the third round, and his elbow work drew particular praise. On the grappling side, his wrestling defense was sharp, consistently neutralizing Blaydes' takedown attempts without much trouble. Yet the analyst's central concern is clear: Hokit fights with a recklessness that leaves him open to serious punishment, and while that approach worked against Blaydes, it is viewed as a liability against elite finishers.
Two names were specifically flagged as potential dangers. Sergei Pavlovich, ranked third in the heavyweight division at 34 years old, carries a 20-3 record and lands significant strikes at a rate of 4.43 per minute with an 84-inch reach. Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion from Brazil, is even more alarming on paper, connecting at 5.16 significant strikes per minute with 62 percent accuracy at 38 years old. The analyst argues that trading recklessly with either man would carry serious knockout risk for Hokit.
A potential pairing with Derrick Lewis was floated as a more immediate option. Lewis, 41, holds a 29-14 record and sits eighth in the heavyweight rankings. He stands six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach and has averaged 2.46 significant strikes per minute throughout his career. The concern raised, however, is that Lewis may weigh financial security over competitive risk when deciding whether to accept the bout.
Why it matters
- Hokit's aggressive persona clashes with the disciplined system Jackson and Winkeljohn typically build around fighters
- A matchup against Pavlovich or Pereira would test whether his durability holds against elite-level volume and power
- The Lewis possibility offers a high-profile heavyweight collision, but its likelihood depends on factors beyond pure competition
