Hokit fires back at Pereira after heavyweight champion hints UFC could cut him

Josh Hokit has hit back at Alex Pereira after the heavyweight champion implied at Wednesday’s UFC White House media day that the undefeated contender may not have a long-term future with the promotion.

Pereira, preparing for his interim heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane on Sunday, was asked about his ongoing feud with Hokit — a rivalry that has been largely one-sided, with Hokit repeatedly trying to provoke the typically composed Brazilian. Pereira kept his cool but landed a pointed remark: “We can’t remove him out of the card on Sunday, he’s already in there, so he’s going to fight, but I’ve just heard a thing or two — I don’t even know if he’s going to be a part of this organization going forward.”

Hokit wasted little time responding. Speaking on an episode of UFC Freedom 250 Embedded, he cited both his recent performances and a newly signed contract as evidence that his position is anything but precarious.

“Pereira could say whatever,” Hokit said. “When you put on a fight like how I put on last fight, I mean, I don’t think I’m going anywhere. I just signed an eight-fight contract as well, so he’s just talking just to talk.”

Hokit’s confidence is grounded in a rapid rise through the heavyweight division. In just his third UFC appearance, he was matched against perennial contender Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 this past April — a significant step up in competition that he handled emphatically. The pair produced a relentless slugfest, with Hokit earning a unanimous decision victory along with two $100,000 Fight Night bonuses. That result earned him an immediate booking against Derrick Lewis at UFC White House.

Hokit also speculated that Pereira’s vague comments might betray a degree of nervousness about a potential future matchup. “Maybe he’s running away,” Hokit said. “Maybe he’s scared. Maybe he hopes that Dana kicks me out. It doesn’t matter what I say, because the most important thing is still what these fists talking about.”

Should both men win on Sunday — Pereira against Gane and Hokit against Lewis — a collision between them would become a realistic prospect, with undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s return still pending.