Dana White is already preparing himself for a world where Josh Hokit becomes undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.
After Tom Aspinall announced he was vacating the title this past week, the UFC revealed Saturday that the next era of the weight class will begin when now-undisputed titleholder Ciryl Gane (14-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) puts gold on the line vs. Hokit (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the UFC 334 main event on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York (Paramount+).
It's a quick rise for Hokit, who only made his UFC debut on Nov. 8. His performances, polarizing personality and divisional opportunity have opened the door to his chance, and it will surely be a wild and controversial ride to fight night.
Is the UFC CEO prepared for the almost certain drama
that will come with this fight, largely due to words that will come out of Hokit's mouth? Moreover, what if Hokit actually wins?
"I've got a lot of thoughts on that," White told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC 331 on Saturday in Los Angeles. "Yeah. Lots and lots. I'm sure they're the same thoughts that you're all having. I doubt we're that different. I don't police what people say and any of that sh*t. And if you keep winning – I say it all the time: I don't have to like you for you to thrive here and for you to do well and be successful.
"Many people that I do not like have done very well here. I'm not saying that I don't like Josh Hokit. I literally don't like f*cking anything Josh Hokit says. And that's not going to change unless he changes, which I don't see happening. So I'm going to have to deal with that. That's a me issue, and I'm sure a you issue."
Following Aspinall's decision to vacate due to ongoing eye issues stemming from his no contest vs. Gane at UFC 321 in October, there was debate about who would be involved in the next title fight. Former two-division champ Alex Pereira, who suffered a TKO loss to Gane at UFC Freedom 250 in November, was campaigning for a rematch.
It didn't go that way, but White said he will have something else for Pereira "soon."
"(We did Gane vs. Hokit because) it's what makes sense," White said.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White already dreading possible Josh Hokit UFC reign: 'That's a me issue'
