Opinion: Josh Hokit and the value of psychological warfare
The undefeated Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight shines a light on one of the more underutilized aspects of the sport, writes Dayne Fox.
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The light heavyweight title fight between Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka will never be forgotten, and it will be discussed with fighters for generations as to why there’s no mercy in the cage until the final bell rings. Plus, Cub Swanson managed to pull off the most excellent retirement fight ever. However, the man who managed to steal the show was the man who was the talk of the town leading up to the event: Josh Hokit .
Hokit didn’t make any friends heading into the show. Trying to take a page out of the professional wrestling playbook, he has been utilizing trash talk and rhymes to garner attention. While the tactic has succeeded in doing so, it hasn’t done much to develop a fan base.
Unlike when Chael Sonnen first started with the approach almost two decades ago, Hokit isn’t letting everyone in on the joke. The twinkle and charisma Sonnen exhibited has been missing from the undefeated heavyweight. Hokit’s schtick isn’t unlike that of Colby Covington , a once-quiet welterweight who’s wrestling-heavy style had him on the verge of the chopping block about a decade ago.
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