NEW YORK – Josh Hokit just wrapped up his first UFC title challenge vs. Ciryl Gane – and now he wants another.
Minutes after his UFC 334 title loss, Hokit (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) called for an immediate rematch in a short-and-sweet Instagram post.
"Immediate rematch please," Hokit wrote, tagging Dana White, Mick Maynard, and Hunter Campbell.
No tag was necessary. As Hokit posted, UFC CEO Dana White was on stage at a post-fight news conference speaking to reporters. He answered in real time.
"OK," White said with a smirk. "Listen, I had my issues with Hokit. (This was) Hokit's first five-round main event and he went five, hard, crazy rounds. The guy has an unbelievable chin, unstoppable cardio. I give him nothing but respect for the fight that he fought
tonight. It was incredible."
While a rematch remains to be booked, and with other heavyweight contenders Alex Pereira and Alexander Volkov chomping at the bit, as well as former UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall continuing to recover from his eye injury, it's unclear what the next move is for the division.
Whether he's next or not, Hokit seems to be in good standing with the promotion as White continued to heap praise on him.
"I thought this guy was a big mouth, goofball and I hated his schtick and the whole thing," White said. "I respect the sh*t out of that guy. He is the real deal. His stock went up with me."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Josh Hokit calls for immediate rematch after UFC 334; Dana White responds
