Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White may have tried to humble Josh Hokit. Instead, he fast-tracked him to a UFC title shot.
Hokit will challenge undisputed Heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the UFC 334 main event next weekend (Sat., Nov. 14, 2026), inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The undefeated challenger earned the opportunity after winning his first four UFC fights, including victories over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.
During a recent appearance on The Jim Rome
Show, White admitted Hokit’s controversial personality may have influenced the promotion’s decision to give him difficult matchups.
“Hokit [vs. Gane] was the fight to make,” White said. “Hokit has been overlooked the whole time — not only by the fans and media, but me. I didn’t like some of the things he said, so I might’ve thrown some tough guys at him, and he passed every test.
“So, here he is,” White continued. “Like him or hate him, he’s fought his way to the top, and there’s no denying that this guy deserves this title shot.”
Free speech?
Nevertheless, the toughest test was undoubtedly Blaydes, who was ranked No. 5 at Heavyweight when UFC matched him against the fast-rising prospect at UFC 327. Hokit survived a bloody three-round war to win a unanimous decision, collecting “Fight of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” bonuses in the process (watch highlights).
White’s distaste for Hokit began with the heavyweight’s theatrical post-fight interviews.
After knocking out Denzel Freeman at UFC 324, Hokit delivered a lengthy, professional wrestling-inspired speech that included offensive language and a derogatory remark about WNBA star Brittney Griner. White said he didn’t watch the interview live but heard about it afterward.
“I don’t love it,” White said.
Hokit’s performance against Blaydes briefly appeared to change White’s opinion. The UFC CEO admitted he still disliked the contender’s “schtick,” but declared that Hokit had “walked the talk” and earned his respect.
That truce didn’t last long.
After stopping Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250, Hokit used his post-fight interview to call former First Lady Michelle Obama a man. White responded by saying he was against fighters saying “nasty and false things” about people’s families and that he “hated that kind of nonsense.”
When Hokit’s title shot was announced, White made his feelings even clearer.
“I’m not saying that I don’t like Josh Hokit,” White said. “I literally don’t f—king like anything Josh Hokit says.”
White may not enjoy listening to Hokit, but he can no longer deny what the undefeated heavyweight has accomplished. Hokit went from Contender Series prospect to UFC title challenger in little more than one year—and every “tough guy” sent his way only moved him closer to the belt.
For the rest of the UFC 334 fight card and Paramount+ lineup click here.
