Josh Hokit claims he didn’t intend to finish Derrick Lewis with armbar

Josh Hokit clarified his intentions behind an unconventional armbar attempt during his knockout victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC White House earlier this month. Despite successfully defending his undefeated record with a second-round knockout win, Hokit's bizarre armbar entry late in the first round raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about his gameplan.

Appearing on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Hokit insisted he was not genuinely pursuing a submission finish with the technique. While he acknowledged that his armbar entry was technically proficient, Hokit explained he lacked serious intent to complete the submission because he already possesses an armbar finish in his professional record. More importantly, Hokit wanted to prove a point: he aimed to knock out Lewis, the fighter with the most knockout wins in UFC history, rather than submitting him at the White House.

"God forbid someone have a little fun in the cage," Hokit said. "I didn't want the fight to end like that, and I wanted to knock out the knockout artist." The 10-0 heavyweight's explanation suggests his armbar was part of a larger performance-based strategy designed to create the most impressive and meaningful victory possible. Rather than seeking any path to victory, Hokit prioritized the narrative of defeating "The Black Beast" on the sport's biggest stage through the most emphatic method available. His clarification demonstrates a fighter thinking strategically about legacy and the significance of how, not just if, he wins.