UFC President Dana White has acknowledged that he deliberately matched heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit against difficult opponents because he disapproved of comments Hokit made, White revealed in a recent interview.
The admission comes after Hokit secured a victory over former title challenger Derrick Lewis at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, 2026. The event, part of the UFC's 250th anniversary celebrations, featured Hokit's win in a heavyweight bout.
White did not specify the exact remarks that prompted his decision, but stated that he "didn't like some of the things he said." The UFC president's comments suggest that personal considerations influenced matchmaking for Hokit, who has been building his record in the promotion's heavyweight division.
