Alex Pereira responds to Josh Hokit’s trash talk at UFC White House presser

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Josh Hokit reacts after a victory against Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Josh Hokit’s performance at UFC 327 a couple of months ago not only got him a spot at the White House, but it completely turned Dana White in the process. The UFC CEO admitted he wasn’t a fan of Hokit’s persona heading into his biggest fight to date with Curtis Blaydes in April, but after delivering one of the all-time great heavyweight bouts, White said he was done giving Hokit any grief. “I’m one of them [that doesn’t like his character],” White said at the UFC 327 post-fight press conference. “He walked the talk tonight. When people come out and say stupid shit and have sort of a schtick, it’s not my thing. But nothing but respect for both of those men tonight. “That fight was unbelievable. You won’t hear a word out of me from here on out about him. Like I said, he walked the talk.” Ahead of his fight with Derrick Lewis at UFC White House, the 28-year-old rising star was asked about White’s change of heart towards him. “Now, would Dana want it… and I’m grateful for the UFC, I mean, for even giving me that opportunity. Wow,” Hokit told MMA Fighting. “When I shake their hand, I’m like, thank you for this opportunity, I’m going to make the most of it, and you could even ask them before, the Curtis Blaydes face-off, I’m like, I’m going to make the most of it, just watch. “But it’s like, would you rather me talk a normal big game, ‘Oh, we’re going to go to war, we’re going to do this, we’re going to do that.’ Normal answers, normal person, and then I could give you a shit show of a fight, you know what I’m saying? So it’s like, what’s important here?” Hokit has used multiple characters throughout his fight builds since signing with the UFC after an undefeated run with Bellator and LFA. “The Incredible Hok” has been on a rocket ship in the heavyweight division during his 3-0 run with the promotion, including three post-fight bonuses. While some people may not like Hokit’s style on the microphone, he’s wondering why other fighters don’t aren’t doing the same. “I think MMA fighters are getting too caught up in, being the macho man or the stoicism, and the polite guy,” Hokit said. “I don’t know what’s going on in their mind. I just think they’re lazy and they don’t want to put themselves out there and put things on the line, put pressure on themselves. So they kind of go into a shell. “But yeah, I mean, think about what you really want. I’m looking to go out there and make it a fight.” Hokit looks to make another big statement at the historic card on the South Lawn as he faces Lewis, the UFC’s all-time knockout leader. “The Black Beast” looks to bounce back from a lopsided stoppage loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at January’s UFC 324 event. For Hokit, he knows there’s no gray area with him — either you believe he’s cringy, or you give him credit for trying. The latter is much more important for Hokit, and he feels it should be the same sentiment for his fellow athletes. “Yeah, like give something,” Hokit explained. “What comes to mind is the Batman quote, ‘You die a hero or live long enough to see yourself as a villain.’ So I mean, I guess, if I didn’t say anything and I gave you that fight, hopefully I just died that night, and then maybe I’ll die a hero. Because I’m going to be in this game for a long time, and it’s always going to be something that you don’t like the more I put myself out there. “So I’m making it easy for everybody. How about you guys just don’t like me and just tune in though.”

Josh Hokit battles Derrick Lewis at UFC White House

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 12: Heavyweight Josh Hokit looks on during the UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference at the Lincoln Memorial on June 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Josh Hokit loves being the center of attention and that was never more evident that his bizarre appearance at the UFC White House press conference on Friday. During a separate pre-fight press conference promoting the card, Hokit actually got escorted off stage after getting into an altercation with UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira but this time around he tried being “normal.” Of course, Hokit was still trying to put on a show while putting away his usual outlandish act and instead pretending he was subdued while trying to stop his other personality from crashing the stage. “Is this thing on?” Hokit said as soon as he touched the microphone. “The Incredible Hok says he’s going to put Derrick to sleep, like Sleepy Joe, but I like Derrick Lewis. I just want to apologize for ruining the press conference last time. I like Topuria, too. I like Pereira, those are my favorite fighters. So I just wanted to apologize for all of that. “I’m nervous right now. It’s just regular Josh, today. Thanks for having me, Dana. I’m trying to keep the Incredible Hok from not coming out. I’m doing my best. Thank you.” The strange behavior drew limited reactions from the crowd but that didn’t stop Hokit from then deciding to interject himself in almost every question moving forward — with none actually directed at him. As soon as Topuria started responding to the questions coming his way, Hokit made sure to interject, which seemingly only annoyed the reigning UFC lightweight champion. “I’m sorry, the Incredible Hok says Perira chews up Topuria’s food and bird feeds it in his mouth,” Hokit said. “Topuria’s probably my favorite fighter to be honest. He knocks everybody out.” Perhaps the funnies part of Topuria’s response was accepting the compliment from Hokit but then telling him repeatedly to stop talking. “Can someone just shut this guy up?” Topuria shouted back at Hokit “Just shut up. Thanks very much but shut up. Just shut up.” Hokit’s interruptions didn’t stop but Topuria eventually engaged in a back-and-forth with Gaethje that also drew a response from the always outspoken heavyweight. This time, Hokit got much more personal with an insult aimed at Topuria, although he was still trying to play up his much more reserved demeanor. “I think Topuria’s so mad because he’s so short he can’t see himself in the bathroom mirror,” Hokit said. “He married a stripper from Miami. I’m sorry. The Incredible Hok just be getting me in trouble. Topuria, I’m a real big fan. You’re still my favorite.” Topuria summed up his feelings about Hokit one last time before UFC CEO Dana White mercifully ended the press conference. “Turn his mic off!” Topuria said. “Shut up!”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: Alex Pereira of Brazil walks to the Octagon in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 313 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Alex Pereira doubts he’ll ever have to deal with Josh Hokit in the cage. This Sunday at UFC White House, both fighters feature in important heavyweight bouts, with Pereira moving up a division to battle Ciryl Gane for an interim title, and Hokit looking to stay undefeated when he faces knockout king Derrick Lewis. Ahead of the historic event, Hokit has done his best to be a thorn in Pereira’s side, even as “Poatan” has mostly ignored him. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Hokit believes his efforts to instigate a matchup with Pereira are bound to pay off. “It’s inevitable,” Hokit said. “We’re going to fight one day. I know he knows it. “And Alex Pereira and his BBL can go to Hell. I’m the lion, he’s the weak gazelle. I’m going to beat him until he swells. I’m going to put his head in the microwave that’s going to give off a pizza smell.” Pereira hasn’t been able to completely ignore Hokit’s advances as the two had to be held apart at a recent UFC White House press conference that also saw lightweight champion Ilia Topuria become involved as he expressed his annoyance with Hokit’s antics. On Wednesday, Pereira addressed Hokit’s challenge. Reluctantly. “You know, this is nothing personal, I just wanted to make sure that I talked about this,” Pereira said via a Portuguese translator. “I don’t even like to talk about this guy. It’s more for everybody because people just keep asking the question and again, I’m just addressing the situation since you asked. I try not even to think about it or entertain anything about him because there’s no reason for it. “We can’t remove him out of the card on Sunday, he’s already in there, so he’s going to fight, but I’ve just heard a thing or two—I don’t even know if he’s going to be a part of this organization going forward. He’s going to fight, but I don’t know, I’ve heard some things here or there, maybe not even worth talking about because I don’t even know if he’s going to be there.” Pereira didn’t clarify exactly what he meant by Hokit not being “part of this organization going forward,” but he doubled down on his disapproval of Hokit’s promotional tactics. “There’s a huge audience that watches this, there are children, there are families, there are people, and a lot of the things he does and says are just very disrespectful, so I think I don’t know,” Pereira said.

Alex Pereira vs. Josh Hokit drama is here to stay. Ahead of Sunday’s UFC White House event, Hokit attempted to start a verbal confrontation with Pereira at the fighter hotel in Washington, D.C., only to be shrugged off by the former two-division champion. Watch the exchange below. View this post on Instagram The exchange – or lack thereof – was a brief one, with Hokit cursing at a passing Pereira, and Pereira moving in the opposite direction as Hokit exits via an escalator. This incident is a continuation of a feud that began at UFC 327 media day this past April, when Hokit first hurled insults at “Poatan” (and was similarly ignored at the time). Pereira and Hokit’s beef continued at a recent UFC White House press conference, where Hokit managed to garner a more intense reaction from Pereira, with Pereira later telling MMA Fighting he “never saw” anything like Hokit’s behavior before. At the moment, a matchup between Pereira and Hokit seems unlikely, with both having important business to take care of this Saturday at UFC White House. Pereira fights Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight title, while the undefeated Hokit seeks to add another big name to his growing résumé when he fights fan favorite Derrick Lewis. Should both fighters be victorious Sunday, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Pereira and Hokit clash in the near future, especially with undisputed champion Tom Aspinall’s return date still unclear as he recovers from eye injuries.

Josh Hokit isn’t done with Alex Pereira

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: (L-R) Josh Hokit has words with Ilia Topuria during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Josh Hokit didn’t expect Ilia Topuria to step in to defend Alex Pereira at the UFC White House press conference back in May, but he’s even more surprised at Topuria’s confidence about how things would’ve gone without security separating them. Hokit, who faces Derrick Lewis on the card, turned his attention towards Pereira and continued to fire insults in the former two-division champ’s direction. Pereira – who speaks very little English stayed stoic, as usual – but eventually Topuria had enough and clapped back at Hokit, and things eventually popped off causing the fighters to be separated with Topuria eventually throwing a cup at Hokit, and the surging heavyweight being removed from the presser. Ilia Topuria HAD ENOUGH of Josh Hokit insulting Alex Pereira at the #UFCWhiteHouse press conference. 👀 🔥 pic.twitter.com/f5QZXVgGbG — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 8, 2026 “The Incredible Hok” was asked about what he felt in that moment, and if he was shocked by it. “I mean that was surprising,” Hokit told MMA Fighting. “But I’m now looking back at it I’m like, well, you had this guy that was stealing the [show] because he’s supposed to be the main event, and I’m like, now I’m the loudest guy, and maybe now I’m stealing the show from him and maybe he feels that type of pressure where it’s like all the eyes should be on him. And he’s earned that spot, and so he kind of felt like he maybe he needed to put himself there. “But I thought it was kind of g*y for him sticking up for Pereira. I know he understands, at least, the words I was saying. He understands the middle finger flip off. Like he could defend himself. He doesn’t need a little f*cking little m*dget hobbit, to stand up and protect him. I mean, we’re all fighters at the end of the day. I don’t know what he was thinking.” Topuria is scheduled to defend his lightweight title against interim champ Justin Gaethje in the UFC White House headliner, while Pereira battles Gane for the interim heavyweight championship. Hokit earned his spot on the card with a Fight of the Year contending decision win over perennial contender Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in April. UFC CEO Dana White said President Donald Trump asked him to put Derrick Lewis on the card, and after the incredible battle with Blaydes, Hokit was the obvious choice for the UFC brass. As far as Topuria goes, Hokit says if “El Matador” still has a problem, he’s not going anywhere. “I think the weight classes have people delusional, as well,” Hokit explained. “That’s another thing, maybe we need to bring back the open divisions and if a little guy wants to challenge a heavyweight, and he’s delusional enough to step in there, let him do it. I’m not trying to be a bully or anything, but I mean, if a man really thinks he could beat me in a fight, I don’t care what weight class it is. I mean, everyone could fight me. I’ll give everyone a fight if you really believe you could beat me in a fight. “I think that’s how it was and probably in the gladiator days and the f*cking… when everyone was on horses and fighting with swords. I mean, they [didn’t] really care about weight classes then, so we shouldn’t really care about them now.” Following the run-in with Hokit, Topuria said that it made his “blood boil,” and he was happy to hit him with the cup, and said that things would’ve gotten bad for the UFC heavyweight had security let him go. “The cup definitely couldn’t miss,” Topuria told Alvaro Colmenero. “Lucky he had so many security people there, because, come on. One of the two was coming out worse off and it wasn’t going to be me.” Hokit then responded to Topuria’s comments. “Do you think he believes that?,” Hokit said. “You know what? Maybe that confidence is what makes him who he is though. So maybe he does believe that, but it’s like, I don’t know. I don’t [even know] how his punches… obviously if I have my hands down and he hits me with like a power slap type of punch, maybe it f*cking does something to me. But yeah, in what world like I wouldn’t just pick him up and slam him on his head and then the fight’s over. “Like, what are we going to do? I mean, does he plan on having a gun or something? Or does he plan on bringing his little posse? Is that how he goes about fighting bigger people? I don’t know, but I think the delusion kind of makes him great, and so maybe he really believes it. But I mean, f*ck. If you think you could beat me in a fight, I’m the one sitting at the heavyweight weight class.” Hokit is 3-0 in the UFC with three bonuses since being signed off of Dana White’s Contender Series this past summer. The 28-year-old has certainly garnered attention with his persona and multiple characters, along with his brash behavior with a live microphone in his face. After trying to get under Lewis’ skin, it was time to shift to Pereira at the press conference in hopes to book a future fight with one of the sport’s biggest stars. “Well, he’s now a heavyweight, and so he’s, now, I think the biggest name heavyweight,” Hokit said. “And I just think he’s not as good as what everybody makes him out to be and he has favorable matchups throughout his career. Now that whole Adesanya [rivalry], I respect that. But, I mean, Adesanya is still a kickboxer, and so he hasn’t faced someone that that could put it all together like me, and has the wrestling background and the cardio, and the durability, the speed, and all this other stuff. “I kind of want to fraud check him. I don’t know if I can fraud check him at this point. He’s kind of established as a legend, but, you know, just take everything away from him, as a man.”

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: Alex Pereira is seen on stage during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Alex Pereira has been a part of some pretty wild fight builds over the years, but being verbally attacked by a fighter he’s not even facing was a little bit new to him. Pereira is set to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC White House, which takes place June 14 on the South Lawn. This past month, Pereira took part in a UFC White House pre-event press conference prior to the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-ins. Things turned quickly when Josh Hokit — who faces Derrick Lewis at the event — started hurling insults Pereira’s way. Eventually, lightweight champ and White House headliner Ilia Topuria stood up for Pereira, and things got separated and Hokit was removed. Ahead of the fight, Pereira was asked if Hokit or Topuria’s behavior in that moment stood out more. “Much more surprised with Topuria to stand up, defend me, staying by my side, because I think he felt bad that I don’t speak English, and many things were being saying there were kind of like the translation was not sharp because it’s when it’s too simultaneous like that, it’s not too good,” Pereira told MMA Fighting through a translator. “So I think that I’m definitely impressed by him, by Ilia Topuria.” Pereira competes for the first time at heavyweight in the blockbuster bout, with the winner expected to face Tom Aspinall in a unification bout later this year, or whenever Aspinall can return from eye damage suffered in his most recent bout against Gane at UFC 321 this past October. Pereira is not really a fan of the out-of-the-cage trash talk, and says he was stoic throughout the entire situation with Hokit, and then Topuria. “Well, honestly, I was just chill over there,” Pereria said. “I was not able to see too much stuff. Everything happened too fast. I just saw later.” Hokit has flown up the divisional rankings with a 3-0 start to his UFC run, along with three bonuses. In his most recent outing, “The Incredible Hok” defeated Curtis Blaydes in one of the best heavyweight bouts in UFC history at April’s UFC 327 event. Hokit wasn’t a fan of Topuria defending Pereira, and thought “Poatan” could’ve fended for himself. Pereira has seen a lot in his storied combat sports career, but has he ever expereince anything like Hokit? “No, no, no,” Pereira said. “I never saw [anything like] this”

Alex Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for interim heavyweight gold at UFC White House