UFC President Dana White shared the behind-the-scenes story of how two fights for the upcoming White House event were arranged on extremely short notice during UFC 327. White revealed that he secured Derrick Lewis for the card within an hour, with Lewis immediately agreeing and thanking the president. White then instructed matchmaker Mick Maynard to find an opponent for Lewis, initially planning to finalize it the following week. However, when Joe Rogan mentioned during the UFC 327 broadcast whether there was room on the White House card, White scrambled to book Josh Hockit. Maynard was sent to speak with Hockit, who was being loaded into an ambulance after his war with Curtis Blaydes, and Hockit immediately agreed to the fight. The chaotic, last-minute nature of the bookings exemplifies the unpredictable and exciting aspects of UFC fight-making.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
