Josh Hokit responds to Alex Pereira implying UFC could release him

Josh Hokit is not going anywhere, despite Alex Pereira's cryptic suggestion otherwise. At Wednesday's media day for UFC White House, the interim heavyweight title challenger made vague comments hinting the UFC could part ways with Hokit soon, telling reporters, "I don't even know if he's going to be a part of this organization going forward."

Hokit fired back swiftly, dismissing Pereira's remarks as talk. "When you put on a fight like how I put on last fight, I mean, I don't think I'm going anywhere," Hokit said during an episode of UFC Freedom 250 Embedded. "I just signed an eight-fight contract as well, so he's just talking just to talk." The undefeated heavyweight challenger questioned whether Pereira's comments betrayed fear of a future matchup, suggesting the interim champ might be hoping Dana White releases him.

Hokit's confidence is well-founded. In his third UFC fight this past April, he faced perennial title contender Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 and earned a unanimous decision victory in an impressive slugfest, securing two $100,000 Fight Night bonuses. That dominant performance immediately earned him a booking against Derrick Lewis at the UFC White House card. While Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in Sunday's co-main event, a future clash between the two undefeated fighters remains possible, particularly if both win and undisputed champion Tom Aspinall remains sidelined.