Heavyweight contender Josh Hokit has mapped out his road to UFC gold, and it begins with Tom Aspinall being cut from the roster. Hokit publicly outlined his ambitions and the steps he believes need to happen for him to reach championship level.
Josh Hokit has set his sights on UFC heavyweight gold — and he believes the path there runs straight through Tom Aspinall being removed from the roster entirely.
The 28-year-old Hokit, nicknamed "The Incredible Hok," holds a perfect 5-0-0 professional record and is making clear he has championship ambitions despite still being early in his UFC career. His public callout takes an unconventional angle: rather than simply asking for a fight with the champion, Hokit has outlined a scenario in which Aspinall needs to be cut before he can pursue the title.
Standing in his crosshairs is the reigning UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who at 33 years old has built one of the most impressive résumés in the division. The Englishman out of Team Kaobon carries a 15-3-0 record and currently sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. His numbers are striking — landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes. At six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, Aspinall presents a complete and physically imposing challenge for anyone in the heavyweight division.
Why it matters
- Hokit's unbeaten record puts him on the radar, but the gap in experience between a 5-0 fighter and a champion of Aspinall's caliber is significant
- Aspinall's pound-for-pound ranking and dominant statistical profile make him one of the most dangerous heavyweights in UFC history
- The callout draws attention to Hokit ahead of what figures to be an important stretch of fights needed to legitimize his title credentials
- If Hokit continues winning, the divisional implications of this public statement will only grow louder
