Josh Hokit, Ilia Topuria nearly come to blows in bizarre scene at UFC White House kickoff presser
Everything leading up to the UFC White House event has already been bizarre. Friday’s kickoff press conference in Newark only made things stranger, as lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and heavyweight contender Josh Hokit nearly got into a fight on stage. Hokit, known for his variety of outspoken gimmicks, took the mic as he always does and hurled verbal jabs at anyone in sight.
Set to take on Derrick Lewis on June 14 on the White House lawn, Hokit could inch closer to a future high-profile matchup with either Alex Pereira or Ciryl Gane with a win; Pereira and Gane are set to battle for an interim UFC heavyweight belt in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event. With a stoic Sean O’Malley seated between Hokit and Pereira, Hokit began to belittle the former two-division champion before Topuria heard enough and stood up, escalating tensions and even throwing something at Hokit before security removed the brash American heavyweight from the stage and ended the press conference. Josh Hokit had some crazy things to say to Alex Pereira 😳 pic.
twitter. com/VJPzgCxXxD — Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) May 8, 2026 "He speaks English, but says 'Chama. ' F*** you, you little b****,' Hokit said to Pereira and Topuria.
"I am the real BMF belt, little, short midget. F*** you. Come up to a real man.
I'll give it to anybody. I don't give a f***. [Pereira,] you have your boyfriend speaking for you?