It didn’t take long for Josh Hokit to impress inside the Octagon, racking up four straight wins in the span of seven months, three of them via second-round technical knockout which includes his most recent stoppage win over Derrick Lewis (see it here).
It was due to that impressive run that he was able to land a title fight in record time, as he is set to challenge UFC Heavyweight champion, Cyril Gane, in the main event ofUFC 334 inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.
But what has really put
Hokit on the radar is his mouth. The hard-hitting big man has already provided fans and media alike with several sound bites that have rubbed people the wrong way. Often depicting someone who has a split-personality as part of his shtick, Hokit has made it clear this is his thing.
Most aren’t fans of Hokit’s antics, including UFC CEO, Dana White, who has made it known he doesn’t really care for Hokit’s style of trash talk. That said, he has also gone on record to say that he will never put a muzzle on him. Another person who is not a big fan of Hokit’s shtick is Bruce Buffer, who says the big man could use a lesson in class.
“You have a guy like Josh Hokit, a heavyweight. He can fight, but I don’t like what he talks about. I think he is disrespectful,”said Buffer in a recent interview. “And I am sorry Josh, if your are watching but it’s just the way it is. It’s his thing, it’s his game, it’s just not my style.”
What really seemed to bother the longtime UFC ring announcer were Hokit’s inappropriate comments aimed at former First Lady Michelle Obama following his big win over “The Black Beast” on the White House lawn in which he referred to her as a man.
“It’s like, show some class, that is just the way I am. The things he said at the White House, I am sorry but I did not appreciate that.”
Still, Buffer — who is one of the classiest employees UFC has — says his personal feelings toward Hokit will not deter him from doing his job correctly for him when the time comes.
“And that’s not to put Josh down. But when I introduce him, when you step into that Octagon, man or woman, you are putting your blood, sweat and life on the line, I am there to enhance that moment for you and I will give you my all.”
UFC 334 just got another interesting thing to look forward to.
