Pereira dismisses Hokit as 'disrespectful' and questions his UFC future ahead of White House card

Alex Pereira has questioned whether Josh Hokit will remain in the UFC, dismissing the undefeated heavyweight as ‘disrespectful’ during a media session on Wednesday ahead of UFC White House this Sunday.

Pereira is stepping up to heavyweight to challenge Ciryl Gane for an interim title, while Hokit faces knockout specialist Derrick Lewis in a separate bout on the same card. Despite Pereira’s attempts to keep his distance from Hokit’s provocations, the two had to be physically separated at a recent UFC White House press conference — an incident that also drew in lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who made clear his own irritation with Hokit’s behaviour.

Asked about Hokit on Wednesday, Pereira was reluctant but direct. “I don’t even like to talk about this guy,” he said through a Portuguese translator. “I try not even to think about it or entertain anything about him because there’s no reason for it. 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.”

Pereira declined to elaborate on what he had heard regarding Hokit’s UFC status, but he was unambiguous about his disapproval of the challenger’s approach. “There’s a huge audience that watches this, there are children, there are families, there are people, and a lot of the things he does and says are just very disrespectful,” he said.

Hokit, for his part, showed no sign of backing down. Speaking to reporters on the same day, he insisted a fight between the two men will happen regardless of Pereira’s indifference. “It’s inevitable,” Hokit said. “We’re going to fight one day. I know he knows it.”

Hokit has made a point of targeting Pereira throughout the build-up to UFC White House, and his latest remarks — including a colourful rhyming taunt directed at the champion — have done little to soften Pereira’s contempt. Whether Hokit’s performances inside the cage ultimately force the issue remains to be seen, but Sunday’s bout with Lewis will offer the clearest indication yet of whether his heavyweight credentials match his ambition.