At the UFC 328 media day in New Jersey, Josh Hockit confronted Alex Pereira in an unusual encounter. Hockit stopped in front of the Brazilian champion and stared at him silently for approximately one minute before walking away. After the confrontation, Pereira simply commented that Hockit is crazy, according to journalist Robbie Fox. The post notes that Hockit has been calling out Pereira since his last fight and speculates about whether Pereira will respond to Hockit's provocations at the upcoming press conference. The fighters are scheduled to compete at the White House event.
Alex Pereira and Josh Hockit shared a tense moment at UFC 328 media day in New Jersey on Thursday, when Hockit approached the light heavyweight champion and stood silently in front of him for roughly a minute before turning and walking away.
Pereira, the 38-year-old Brazilian champion competing out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, holds a 13-4 record and has established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, he lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy. According to journalist Robbie Fox, Pereira's response to the silent standoff was brief and dismissive — he simply said Hockit is crazy.
Hockit, who has been publicly calling out Pereira since his last outing, chose a wordless form of provocation at the media day, letting the extended stare do the talking. Both fighters are scheduled to compete at the UFC 328 event, billed as the White House event, on May 9.
Why it matters
- Hockit's sustained campaign to get Pereira's attention appears to be escalating ahead of fight night
- Pereira's measured reaction suggests the champion remains unbothered, a psychological dynamic that could shape the pre-fight buildup
- Whether Pereira engages more directly with Hockit's provocations at the upcoming press conference remains to be seen
Saturday, May 9, 2026
