UFC President Dana White recently expressed his thoughts on Josh Hokit earning a title shot against the newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. During the UFC 331 event broadcast, it was revealed that Gane was promoted from interim champion to undisputed champion following former titleholder Tom Aspinall’s decision to vacate the belt. Hokit was announced as Gane’s upcoming opponent.
The highly anticipated matchup between Gane and Hokit is set to headline UFC 334, which will take place on Saturday, November 14, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
When speaking to reporters after UFC 331, White openly shared his candid opinion about Hokit receiving the title opportunity. “I have a lot of thoughts on Josh Hokit—plenty of them. I’m sure they’re the same thoughts you all share,” White remarked with a hint of humor, referring to Hokit’s notorious outspoken nature both inside interviews and on social media.
Despite White’s reservations about Hokit’s behavior and comments, there’s no denying his impressive performance in the octagon. Hokit currently holds an undefeated 4-0 record in the UFC and could improve to 5-0 by potentially claiming the heavyweight championship at UFC 334.
Although White doesn’t agree with much of what Hokit says, he made it clear that he won’t control or censor the fighter’s statements, just as he allows other UFC athletes to speak their minds. “I don’t police what people say. I’ve said it many times—I don’t have to like you for you to succeed here. Some of the people I dislike the most have still done very well. I’m not saying I hate Hokit; I simply don’t like anything he says. That won’t change unless he does, and I don’t see that happening. I’m going to have to deal with it, and you probably will too,” White explained.
Regardless of his controversial remarks, Hokit’s fighting skills speak volumes, and in just two months, he could very well become the new UFC heavyweight champion.
Fan Take: This title fight is a major moment for fight fans because it highlights the rise of a polarizing but undeniably talented contender in Josh Hokit, shaking up the heavyweight division. It also raises the stakes for the sport by promising an explosive clash at one of UFC’s most iconic venues, Madison Square Garden, potentially ushering in a new era of heavyweight competition.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
