Alex Pereira has indicated that Josh Hooker could be released from the UFC following their White House card. Pereira stated that while Hooker will compete on the upcoming event, he is uncertain about the fighter's future with the promotion. The UFC light heavyweight champion cited Hooker's disrespectful conduct as incompatible with the family-friendly audience UFC events attract.
Alex Pereira has suggested that Josh Hooker could be on his way out of the UFC following their upcoming bout at the UFC White House card scheduled for June 14, 2026.
The light heavyweight champion made clear that while Hooker will still compete on the event, Pereira expressed serious doubts about Hooker's future with the promotion. Pereira cited what he described as disrespectful behavior from Hooker as being incompatible with the family-friendly atmosphere the UFC aims to maintain at its events.
Pereira, 38, enters the bout as the reigning light heavyweight champion, carrying a professional record of 13 wins and 4 losses. The Brazilian fighter, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He has established himself as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 62 percent.
Why it matters
- Pereira's comments raise the possibility of a roster move immediately following the fight, adding an unusual layer of stakes to the bout
- The remarks reflect the UFC's increased sensitivity around conduct at high-profile, politically prominent events
- Any post-fight roster decision regarding Hooker would have direct implications for the light heavyweight division's contender landscape
Sunday, June 14, 2026
