Josh Hokit: Alex Pereira gained 'too much weight' for heavyweight transition

Josh Hokit (10-0) earned an impressive heavyweight victory over Derrick Lewis (29-14) at UFC Freedom 250 and wasted no time targeting Alex Pereira for a future matchup, even after Pereira's knockout loss to Ciryl Gane on the same card.

Hokit offered a technical critique of Pereira's heavyweight transition, suggesting the Brazilian came in too heavy at 251 pounds. "I think he gained a little too much weight," Hokit said in his post-fight interview. "You've got to be light, something that you're used to. Maybe he got caught up in the heavyweight mentality, where I've got to be big, got to be powerful. No, you've got to be still fast, whatever you're comfortable with."

With Gane expected to face undisputed champion Tom Aspinall next, Hokit positioned himself as a logical opponent for the now-defeated Pereira. "Maybe Ciryl Gane fights Aspinall. I'll fight Pereira still," he stated.

Hokit had initiated an unprovoked feud with Pereira leading into the White House card, even resorting to derogatory remarks at the fighter hotel and repeating them during his post-fight interview after dispatching Lewis. His lopsided stoppage win marked another step up the heavyweight ladder, while his willingness to fight a coming-off-a-loss Pereira reflects the ultra-competitive nature of the division and Hokit's confidence in his undefeated record.