Josh Hokit draws backlash for controversial 9/11 joke made day after tragedy anniversary

Josh Hokit drew sharp criticism online after posting a 9/11 joke to his Instagram the day following the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The undefeated UFC heavyweight contender shared the joke directly with his followers, reading: "Who's the fastest readers in the world? 9/11 victims, they could go through 110 stories in just a few seconds." He followed it with a self-aware aside, noting he is usually skeptical of making 9/11 jokes because they "usually never land."

The post landed with a thud for many who saw it, generating a wave of backlash across social media. For others, it fit a pattern they have come to expect from the heavyweight prospect, who has been leaning into an unfiltered, provocative online persona since earning his UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series.

Why it matters

• Hokit has built a growing social media presence around blunt, boundary-pushing content since joining the UFC roster, and this post represents an escalation of that approach.
• The timing — one day after a nationally observed day of remembrance — amplified the negative reaction considerably.
• The incident raises a legitimate question about whether the persona is authentic or a calculated strategy to generate attention and visibility ahead of his UFC career.

Whether Hokit's willingness to court controversy reflects genuine personality or a deliberate clout-farming play, the backlash suggests there are limits to how far the "no filter" gimmick can take a fighter before it begins to define his public image in ways that are difficult to walk back.