The UFC’s plans to stage a fight card on the White House grounds took a backseat on Friday as one fighter’s disruptive behavior overshadowed the press conference for UFC Freedom 250.
The media event, held in Newark, New Jersey—site of Saturday’s UFC 328—was meant to preview the upcoming Washington D.C. event. All 14 fighters scheduled for the card were present for faceoffs. However, undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit, who is set to face Derrick Lewis, turned the gathering into his own personal stage.
Dressed in a black robe, sunglasses, and an American flag-themed gloves and bandana, Hokit launched into WWE-style monologues targeting not only Lewis but also Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria. His vulgar and rhyming rants often ended with, “Am I right, New Jersey?” He insulted Lewis as “the Black Pillsbury Doughboy” and directed multiple slurs at other fighters. Most tried to ignore him until Topuria stood up to defend Pereira, who is not fluent in English and appeared confused by the insults. Topuria threw a small object at Hokit before the 28-year-old California native was escorted out by UFC security.
Hokit, a former college football player and wrestler, improved his MMA record to 9-0 last month when he defeated Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision at UFC 327.
Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White had to intervene during Mauricio Ruffy’s faceoff with Michael Chandler, when Ruffy extended his arms and touched Chandler’s chin with his fist. The rest of the faceoffs proceeded without incident.
White explained that the UFC will release 85,000 free tickets for fans to watch the fights on big screens in Ellipse Park, across the street from the White House. “It’s on federal land. … We’re paying the bill for this whole fight. And I can’t sell a hot dog, a T-shirt or a ticket. Nothing can be sold on federal land,” White said. He added that about 4,000 people will be on the South Lawn, where the Octagon will be set up. President Donald Trump will receive 1,000 tickets, while White and TKO Group CEO Ari Emanuel will each have 200, with the remaining tickets distributed across military branches. Trump did not attend the press conference but hosted several UFC fighters earlier in the week, revealing renderings of the Octagon with the White House as a backdrop.
