UFC heavyweight contender on Alex Pereira: ‘He’s scared’

Undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit has escalated his verbal assault on interim title challenger Alex Pereira, dismissing warnings that his UFC career could be in jeopardy after this weekend's event. Hokit (9-0) is scheduled to fight Derrick Lewis (29-13) at UFC White House: Freedom 250 on Sunday, while Pereira (13-3) competes for interim gold against Ciryl Gane (13-2) in the co-main event.

Pereira recently suggested Hokit's tenure with the promotion might end at the White House card, but "The Incredible Hok" pushed back hard. "When you put on a fight like I put on last fight, I don't think I'm going anywhere," Hokit said. "I just signed an eight-fight contract as well. He's just talking just to talk. Maybe he's running away. Maybe he's scared, that's why he hopes that Dana kicks me out."

Hokit has adopted a WWE-style heel persona, delivering inflammatory promos at press conferences and fighter hotel encounters. He previously told Pereira: "I'll chama on your mama," a comment Pereira found disrespectful, especially after Hokit repeated it at a later meeting. Pereira remains focused on maintaining composure throughout fight week, declining to engage emotionally with Hokit's provocations.