UFC White House star Josh Hokit removed by security after stunning press conference tirade

2 min read
UFC White House star Josh Hokit removed by security after stunning press conference tirade

UFC White House star Josh Hokit removed by security after stunning press conference tirade

Hokit taunted Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, the latter of whom then threw a microphone at the American’s head

UFC White House star Josh Hokit removed by security after stunning press conference tirade

Hokit taunted Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, the latter of whom then threw a microphone at the American’s head

In a scene straight out of a pro wrestling script—but very much real—Josh Hokit was escorted out of Friday's UFC White House press conference after unleashing a jaw-dropping tirade that left fellow fighters stunned and security scrambling.

The 28-year-old heavyweight, known for his WWE-inspired persona, arrived sporting a stars-and-stripes bandana, gloves, and sunglasses, and proceeded to verbally spar with two of the UFC's biggest names: former two-weight champion Alex Pereira and lightweight king Ilia Topuria. The showdown escalated quickly when Hokit, who faces Derrick Lewis at the historic June 14 event on the South Lawn, launched into a rhyming insult spree directed at Pereira.

"I come to devour, you will know the day, you will know the hour," Hokit declared. "I'm not just gonna win, I'm gonna p*** on him. This guy's the baddest man on the planet? Look at how I speak to him—like my dog, like my b***ch."

The Brazilian Pereira, 38, remained composed, responding through a translator: "I have nothing to say about this guy. He went right by me during an interview, started saying things. I looked him in the eye. Why didn't he do anything when I was there?"

But the real fireworks came when Topuria, losing patience with Hokit's relentless taunts, fired back with a volley of expletives. The situation escalated further when Topuria hurled a bottle, then a microphone—the latter striking Hokit in the head. Security wasted no time, removing Hokit from the stage as the room erupted.

The June 14 event, marking 250 years of the United States and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, will feature Hokit vs. Lewis—a bout personally requested by Trump, who sat ringside at UFC 327. For those tracking the drama, this press conference proved that in the UFC, the action doesn't always wait for fight night.

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