Josh Hookah issued an apology at the UFC White House press conference for his conduct at the previous event's presser. He expressed that he is a fan of Derrick Lewis, Ilia Topuria, and Alex Pereira, and described himself as noticeably nervous, saying he was simply being himself at the current event.
Social media personality Josh Hookah used his appearance at the UFC White House press conference on June 13 to publicly apologize for the behavior he displayed at a previous UFC presser, drawing attention ahead of the promotion's White House event scheduled for June 14.
Hookah acknowledged that his conduct at the earlier press conference was disruptive and offered a direct apology for it. At the current event, he described himself as noticeably nervous but said he was simply being himself. He also took the opportunity to express admiration for three fighters on the UFC roster: Derrick Lewis, Ilia Topuria, and Alex Pereira.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and currently sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old, carries a 17-1-0 record and competes out of Spain under the Climent Club banner. The orthodox striker lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and adds 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offensive arsenal.
Lewis, the veteran heavyweight from Houston, holds a 29-14-0 record and is ranked eighth in his division at 41 years of age. Standing six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach, "The Black Beast" lands 2.46 significant strikes per minute with 49 percent accuracy and remains one of the most recognized knockout threats in the heavyweight ranks.
Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, boasts a 13-4-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the sport's most dangerous strikers. The 38-year-old Brazilian stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and leads all three fighters in output efficiency, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Hookah's public apology signals an attempt to rehabilitate his relationship with UFC media events and the fighters he disrupted
- His stated admiration for a pound-for-pound leader, an active champion, and a heavyweight veteran reflects the event's broad star power
- The incident puts a spotlight on media access conduct at high-profile UFC press conferences
Sunday, June 14, 2026
