Alex
Pereira believes Josh Hokit
doesn’t get along well with anyone.
Pereira is scheduled to fight Ciryl Gane
for the interim heavyweight title at
UFC White House on June 14. Meanwhile, Hokit is scheduled to
fight Derrick
Lewis in a heavyweight matchup on the same card.
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During a promotional presser for UFC Freedom 250 at Newark last
month, Hokit went on an unprovoked rant against Pereira. Meanwhile,
Ilia
Topuria looks to defend his lightweight title on the same card
against interim champion Justin
Gaethje on the same card. Topuria was sitting next to Pereira
at the presser when Hokit launched his tirade. With a fast-growing
friendship between the Topuria and Pereira, “El Matador” stood up
to defend his friend against Hokit’s insults. While Pereira isn’t
fluent in English, Topuria was enraged when Hokit said he would
“Chama on Pereira’s Mama.” Topuria told Hokit that Pereira doesn’t
need to answer him before throwing a bottle of water at the
heavyweight fighter. Security personnel stepped in before things
could escalate and escorted Hokit out of the media scrum.
Pereira (13-3) is grateful to Topuria for having his back. As for
Hokit, “Poatan” doesn’t want to give him undue attention. The
former two-division champion, aiming for a third title, believes
Hokit is a “problematic” character who doesn’t get along well with
his own family and friends. Pereira plans to maintain his composure
in the face of Hokit’s antics during the UFC Freedom 250 fight
week. However, if Hokit is able to get physically close to pull off
some stunt, Pereira will blame the
UFC for the lapse.
Planning to Keep His Cool
“I don’t understand English, and I think Topuria felt bad,” Pereira
told MMAjunkie.com. “Topuria saw that and he stepped
up as a brother. Ilia threw the bottle or bottle cap at Hokit’s
face when he saw that he was going too far. To me, Hokit, I don’t
even want to talk about that guy. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t
get along with his family. He doesn’t get along with his brother.
He’s the problematic part of the family… Fight week we’re probably
gonna have a lot of people around. If anything happens, I’m gonna
stay calm and composed as always. If at fight week this guy is able
to get to me to try to do anything it’s just messed up by the
organization.”
Alex
Pereira says he won’t react if Josh Hokit
comes at him on
#UFCWhiteHouse fight week 🗿„If on fight week this guy is able to get to me to try and do
anything, it’s just messed up by the organization.“(via @MikeBohn)
pic.twitter.com/09U5PbdCxB— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie)
May 18, 2026