Josh Hokit shared an AI-generated video on social media showing himself knocking out Ilia Topuria. The post quickly drew a response from Merab Dvalishvili, who defended Topuria in the comments. Dvalishvili told Hokit to maintain the same energy when he meets Topuria in real life, adding that AI videos will not help him. The exchange highlights Hokit's continued efforts to build his media profile and generate attention ahead of potential future matchups. Reactions to the post were mixed, with some praising Hokit's promotion tactics and others siding with Dvalishvili's defense of Topuria.
Josh Hokit stirred up social media controversy on May 21 when the undefeated prospect shared an AI-generated video depicting himself knocking out featherweight-turned-lightweight star Ilia Topuria, prompting a sharp public response from bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili.
Hokit, nicknamed "The Incredible Hok," carries a perfect 5-0 professional record at 28 years old. His statistical profile in the verified data does not yet reflect significant output numbers, suggesting he is still early in building his professional career. The AI video stunt appears to be a deliberate push to raise his visibility and generate attention ahead of potential future opportunities.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," is currently ranked second in the lightweight division and holds the number-one pound-for-pound spot in the rankings. The 29-year-old Spaniard, trained out of Climent Club, owns a 17-1 record and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, underscoring his well-rounded threat level.
Dvalishvili, Topuria's teammate and close ally, wasted no time defending him in the comments. The Georgian fighter, competing at bantamweight, is ranked first in his division and second pound-for-pound with a 21-5 record. "The Machine" is 35 years old and trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, where he has developed into one of the sport's most relentless wrestlers, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes. He told Hokit to bring that same energy when facing Topuria in person and made clear that AI-generated content would not serve him in any real confrontation.
Why it matters
- Topuria's pound-for-pound status makes him a high-profile target for fighters seeking social media exposure
- Dvalishvili's public response amplifies the moment well beyond Hokit's own following
- The exchange reflects a broader trend of fighters using digital content to generate matchup buzz before earning a booking
