Josh Hokit directed profane gestures and language at multiple fighters during the UFC White House press conference. Derrick Lewis, Alex Pereira, and Ilia Topuria were all targets of Hokit's outbursts. The incident was part of the heated atmosphere at the media event. No specific context is provided about what prompted Hokit's behavior toward each fighter. The confrontations contributed to the chaotic nature of the press conference.
Josh Hokit turned the UFC White House press conference into a scene of profane confrontations on May 8, directing obscene language and gestures at three of the sport's most prominent fighters: heavyweight Derrick Lewis, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, and lightweight contender Ilia Topuria.
Hokit's outbursts targeted each man in turn during what was described as a chaotic media event. No specific provocation was reported for any of the three confrontations, leaving the incidents to stand as a striking example of a press conference atmosphere spiraling out of control.
The fighters on the receiving end represent a significant cross-section of the UFC's current landscape. Derrick Lewis, the 41-year-old American heavyweight ranked eighth in his division, carries a 29-14-0 professional record and stands six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach. Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion out of Brazil, holds a 13-4-0 record and is regarded as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy. The 38-year-old stands six-foot-four and shares that same 79-inch reach. Ilia Topuria, meanwhile, is ranked second in the lightweight division and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old. The Spain-based fighter carries a 17-1-0 record and averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute, complementing his striking with 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Hokit inserted himself into the spotlight alongside three of the UFC's highest-profile names ahead of UFC White House on June 14
- The incident adds an unpredictable element to the pre-fight buildup for an already loaded card
- Targeting the pound-for-pound number one and a reigning champion in the same press conference amplifies the attention on Hokit's position on that event
Sunday, June 14, 2026
