Topuria demands mic cut as Josh Hokit's relentless interruptions derail UFC White House press conference

Ilia Topuria lost his patience with Josh Hokit at the UFC White House press conference on Friday, repeatedly shouting “shut up” before finally demanding the microphone be cut entirely, as Hokit inserted himself into almost every exchange despite no questions being directed at him.

Hokit had already been escorted off stage at a separate pre-fight press conference earlier after an altercation involving Topuria and Alex Pereira. At the White House event, he opened with an apparent attempt at restraint, apologising for the earlier incident and claiming he was keeping his more disruptive alter ego — “the Incredible Hok” — in check.

“I’m nervous right now. It’s just regular Josh, today,” Hokit said at the microphone. “I’m trying to keep the Incredible Hok from not coming out. I’m doing my best.”

The composed act did not last. Each time Topuria began answering a question, Hokit cut in with commentary, including a backhanded compliment framed as an insult from his fictional persona: “The Incredible Hok says Pereira chews up Topuria’s food and bird feeds it in his mouth.”

Topuria accepted the praise with visible irritation before making his feelings plain. “Can someone just shut this guy up?” the UFC lightweight champion called out. “Just shut up. Thanks very much but shut up. Just shut up.”

Hokit continued regardless, eventually escalating to personal remarks about Topuria’s height and private life. “I think Topuria’s so mad because he’s so short he can’t see himself in the bathroom mirror,” Hokit said, before adding a comment about Topuria’s wife and again retreating behind the Incredible Hok character as cover.

Topuria’s final word on the matter came as UFC CEO Dana White brought the press conference to a close. “Turn his mic off!” Topuria said. “Shut up!”

Hokit is scheduled to fight Derrick Lewis on the same card, and his pre-event antics have now overshadowed the build-up to both that bout and Topuria’s own lightweight title defence.