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!”
