Josh Hokit believes Derrick Lewis matchup is step down in competition

Josh Hokit views his upcoming heavyweight matchup against Derrick Lewis at UFC White House: Freedom 250 as a step down in competition, despite the prestige of fighting at the historic White House venue on June 14. Hokit's true ambition lies elsewhere: a future clash with interim heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who will defend his interim title against Ciryl Gane in the card's co-main event.

Hokit (9-0), a former NFL fullback with a charismatic WWE-style persona, has made a quick impression in the UFC since his debut last year, winning all three of his bouts. Most recently, he secured a unanimous decision over Curtis Blaydes in a bloodbath—his first fight to go the distance in his professional career. While Hokit acknowledges that Lewis poses a credible opponent, he believes defeating the veteran heavyweight carries limited value for his trajectory. However, fighting on the White House card itself—the gravitas of the event and platform—will elevate his stock and position him for a Pereira matchup down the line.

Lewis (29-13) brings formidable credentials to the bout, holding the UFC heavyweight record for most KO/TKO victories with 16. However, "The Black Beast" is coming off a second-round stoppage loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Hokit's logic is clear: a win over a declining Lewis on the White House stage carries more long-term value than the result itself.