Full Breakdown
Josh Hokit escorted from UFC Freedom 250 press conference after confrontation with Ilia Topuria
5/9/2026, 10:58:53 PM
The Incident at the Prudential Center
On May 8, 2026, the UFC Freedom 250 press conference was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Heavyweight newcomer Josh Hokit repeatedly seized the microphone, delivering wrestling-style trash talk aimed at Derrick Lewis, Alex Pereira and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. After Hokit insulted Pereira, Topuria intervened, exchanged profanity with Hokit, and threw a small object that struck Hokit’s face. UFC security intervened and escorted Hokit offstage before the event resumed.
Context: UFC Freedom 250 and Hokit’s Rise
UFC Freedom 250 will be staged on June 14 on the White House lawn, marking the promotion’s first fight card at the presidential residence. The seven-bout card features a lightweight title unification (Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje) and an interim heavyweight title bout (Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane). Hokit, a 28-year-old former college football player and brief NFL practice-squad member, earned a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2023. He entered the organization with a 9-0 professional record, including a unanimous-decision win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327.
Card Overview & Betting Landscape
- Main event: Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje (lightweight title unification)
- Co-main: Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane (interim heavyweight)
- Preliminary: Derrick Lewis vs. Josh Hokit (heavyweight)
- Other bouts: Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus
Hokit entered the fight as a –330 betting favorite over Lewis five weeks before the June 14 clash.
Official UFC Response
UFC President Dana White opened the presser by announcing a $1 million bonus pool from Crypto.com for Fight-of-the-Night performances, with $600 000 slated for the White House card. White later noted that security had removed Hokit to maintain order. Alex Pereira, speaking through a translator, asked why Hokit was “talking to me” and was told by the translator that Hokit claimed he spoke English.
Criticism of Hokit’s Conduct
Topuria publicly rebuked Hokit, labeling him a “little b*tch” and physically confronting him before security intervened. Observers noted that Hokit’s antics disrupted the presser’s flow, prompting concerns about professionalism and fighter safety.
Eyewitness Accounts
Reporters described Hokit’s “over-the-top performance” as a “chaotic scene” in which he repeatedly grabbed the microphone, delivered vulgar insults, and ignored other fighters’ attempts to de-escalate. The confrontation escalated when Topuria tossed a water bottle (or “small object,” per differing accounts) at Hokit.
Conflicting Details & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact object thrown—some cite a water bottle, others a “small object.” The precise amount of the performance-bonus pool beyond the $600 000 Fight-of-the-Night share remains unconfirmed. Additionally, translations of Pereira’s remarks vary, leaving his exact response ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Come up to a real weight class!” — Josh Hokit
- “Derrick Lewis ain’t tight. That’s why he p*ssied out and took a dive in his last fight. I’m going to retire him, then he’s going sell old-man asswipes,” — Josh Hokit
- “F*ck you, you f*cking little bitch!” — Josh Hokit
- “you couldn’t find your wife in Miami” — Josh Hokit
- “I’m going to ‘chama’ on your momma. This guy’s the baddest on the planet? Look at how I speak to him. Like my dog. Like my b*tch.'” — Josh Hokit
- “Because his knees look like a broke toy, and on June 14, I’m going to beat the sh*t out of the ‘Black Pillsbury Doughboy.'” — Josh Hokit
Implications for the Promotion
The incident highlights security challenges at high-profile UFC events and raises questions about fighter conduct on public stages. Maintaining a professional image is critical as the organization prepares for a historic White House card.
What’s Next
UFC Freedom 250 proceeds on June 14 at the White House. Arman Tsarukyan has been confirmed as the backup for the Topuria vs. Gaethje lightweight title bout. The announced bonus pool is expected to incentivize standout performances, while UFC officials have pledged tighter mic-control protocols for future press events.
