Sean O'Malley has admitted he regrets not standing behind Josh Hokit during the UFC White House press conference. O'Malley said Hokit was absolutely right and that he should have stepped back and supported him before joining in.
Sean O'Malley has publicly admitted he made a mistake by not immediately supporting his teammate Josh Hokit during the UFC White House press conference, with the event itself scheduled for June 14, 2026.
Speaking ahead of UFC White House, O'Malley acknowledged that Hokit was absolutely right in whatever he raised at the press conference, and that he should have stepped back and stood behind him before eventually joining in. The admission reflects a candid moment of self-reflection from one of the bantamweight division's most prominent personalities.
O'Malley, 31, currently sits fourth in the UFC bantamweight rankings carrying a professional record of 20-3-0. The Montana-born fighter trains out of MMA Lab and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the 135-pound division, averaging 6.05 significant strikes landed per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent. He competes out of a switch stance and stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach.
Hokit, nicknamed "The Incredible Hok," is a 28-year-old undefeated prospect with a perfect 5-0-0 record. The young fighter has yet to accumulate significant UFC statistical data, but his unblemished mark speaks to an early career built on winning.
Why it matters
- O'Malley's public acknowledgment of the situation draws attention to Hokit's undefeated 5-0-0 record and growing profile ahead of UFC White House
- The moment highlights the team dynamic at MMA Lab and O'Malley's willingness to publicly back his teammates
- With O'Malley ranked fourth at bantamweight, anything that keeps his name in the conversation carries divisional weight
Sunday, June 14, 2026
