Josh Hokit on turning Dana White after UFC 327 win, ‘lazy fighters’ not doing the same

Josh Hokit's dominant performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 earlier this year did more than secure him a spot on the historic White House card—it won over UFC president Dana White, who had previously been skeptical of the heavyweight's outlandish persona.

White admitted at the UFC 327 post-fight press conference that he wasn't a fan of Hokit's character heading into their April matchup. However, the quality of the bout changed his perspective entirely. "He walked the talk tonight," White said. "That fight was unbelievable. You won't hear a word out of me from here on out about him."

Heading into his UFC White House clash with Derrick Lewis, the 28-year-old rising star reflected on White's shift in attitude. Hokit argued that his theatrical approach to fight promotion serves a purpose—it creates entertainment value and adds stakes to his performances. "Would you rather me talk a normal big game... and then I could give you a shit show of a fight?" he told MMA Fighting. Hokit questioned why other fighters didn't adopt similar tactics, suggesting they were simply too lazy or afraid to put themselves on the line.

The heavyweight has turned heads since joining the UFC after an undefeated stint in Bellator and LFA. His 3-0 promotional record includes three post-fight bonuses, demonstrating that his polarizing style hasn't hindered his in-cage success. Hokit acknowledged he understood the divide his persona created—fighters either thought he was cringy or admired his willingness to risk his reputation for entertainment. He views that trade-off as worth the price of admission, positioning his upcoming Lewis fight as another opportunity to let his performances speak louder than his words.