Josh Hokit posted screenshots of a private conversation with Paulo Costa on social media. In the exchange, Costa demands $100,000 from Hokit, writing "100k and we're even. Give me my money back." Hokit responds mockingly, asking if Costa likes pizza, then making a crude joke when Costa says he eats a lot of pizza to gain weight to fight him. Hokit captioned the post with an insult calling Costa a "stupid Brazilian," escalating tensions between the two fighters.
A social media dispute between middleweight contender Paulo Costa and undefeated prospect Josh Hokit spilled into public view on April 18, when Hokit posted screenshots of a private message exchange between the two fighters.
In the leaked conversation, Costa demands $100,000 from Hokit, writing "100k and we're even. Give me my money back." Hokit responds with mockery, asking Costa if he likes pizza before making a crude joke after Costa explains he eats large amounts of pizza to gain weight ahead of a potential fight. Hokit captioned the post with an ethnic slur directed at Costa, calling him a "stupid Brazilian" and significantly raising the temperature of the dispute.
Costa, 35, is a ranked middleweight from Brazil fighting out of Team Borracha. He carries a 16-4 record and holds the number 13 spot in the 185-pound divisional rankings. The Eraser is one of the division's most aggressive strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Hokit, 28, is unbeaten at 5-0 and operates under the nickname The Incredible Hok. He has yet to compete at the UFC level based on the available data, and no divisional ranking or team affiliation is on record for him.
Why it matters
- The nature of Costa's $100,000 demand is unexplained, leaving the source of the dispute unclear
- Hokit's decision to post private messages and use an ethnic slur adds a disciplinary dimension beyond the sporting rivalry
- If a fight between the two were pursued, Costa's experience and striking volume would represent a significant step up for the unranked Hokit
