Josh Hokit didn’t hold back at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference, where he clashed with Ilia Topuria before being forcibly removed by security. The event, held at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, was a prelude to the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 328, featuring a fiery showdown between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev.
Hokit, known for his outrageous 1980s wrestling persona, is set to fight Derrick Lewis on June 14—Flag Day and Donald Trump’s birthday—on the South Lawn of the White House. His antics at the press conference were anything but subdued.
As he hurled insults at Lewis, Hokit turned his attention to former two-weight champion Alex Pereira, who is preparing for an interim heavyweight bout against Cyril Gane. “Alex gained some weight and now he thinks he’s King Kong,” Hokit quipped. “But his girl said the steroids killed his ding dong, am I right, New Jersey?”
Pereira initially brushed off Hokit’s jabs. “I have nothing to say about this guy,” he stated through a translator. “Earlier today, he walked right by me and started talking. I looked him in the eyes and said, ‘Chama.’ Why didn’t he do anything when I was there?”
But Hokit wasn’t done. After another round of insults, Topuria, seated next to Pereira, snapped. He stood up and threw a bottle at Hokit, undeterred by the size difference. “F--- you, you f------ little b----,” Hokit retaliated. “I’m the real BMF belt, little short m-----! Come up to a real weight class; I’ll give it to anybody. I don’t give a f---.”
Pereira joined Topuria in standing up, both men surrounded by UFC security as tensions escalated. Hokit quickly found himself encircled by guards who ultimately lifted him off the stage and carried him away.
“All right, thanks for coming out early for this one,” UFC president Dana White remarked after Hokit’s exit, abruptly concluding the press conference. Face-offs were canceled for Hokit and Lewis, as security deemed it too risky to have him back in front of the crowd.
