Hokit fires back at Pereira with eight-fight UFC deal after 'scared' jibe

Unbeaten heavyweight Josh Hokit has rubbished Alex Pereira’s claim that his UFC tenure could be over, revealing he has signed an eight-fight deal with the promotion ahead of his bout against Derrick Lewis at UFC White House: Freedom 250 on Sunday.

Pereira had suggested that while it was too late to remove Hokit from the card, the fight against Lewis — a heavyweight tilt pitting the 9-0 Hokit against the 29-13 Lewis — could be his last in the organisation. Hokit wasted no time in shooting that down.

“Pereira can say whatever,” Hokit said on UFC Embedded. “When you put on a fight like I put on last fight, I don’t think I’m going anywhere. I just signed an eight-fight contract as well. He’s just talking just to talk. Maybe he’s running away. Maybe he’s scared, that’s why he hopes that Dana kicks me out.”

The war of words between the two heavyweights has been a defining subplot of fight week. Hokit, who has embraced the role of the promotion’s new villain, first targeted Pereira at a press conference last month with a deliberately provocative remark. Pereira acknowledged the comment was disrespectful, but Hokit doubled down when the pair crossed paths at the fighter hotel, repeating the jibe to Pereira’s face.

Pereira, who fights Ciryl Gane (13-2) for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event, has made a point of keeping his composure throughout, refusing to give Hokit the reaction he appears to be seeking.

Hokit’s antics have drawn comparisons to WWE-style heel work, with the undefeated contender cutting increasingly outlandish promos during the build-up to the event. Whether the approach is calculated or simply chaotic, it has ensured the 9-0 fighter commands attention well beyond his position on the card.

With a new long-term contract secured and a high-profile opponent in Lewis across from him, Hokit will have the chance to back up his bravado on Sunday — and potentially force Pereira to take him far more seriously.