Josh Hokit silenced Derrick Lewis by stopping him in stunning fashion in round 2 of his heavyweight bout at UFC Freedom 250. He dominated throughout the fight, but the post-event attention is more on his speech rather than his impressive display against a former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger. It would come as no surprise, considering how the in-person audience’s responses changed when hearing the different statements in his post-fight interview. 

After name-dropping Donald Trump and Jesus Christ to loud cheers, Hokit made what appeared to be a call out and then signed off with something few anticipated from his post-fight Octagon interview with Joe Rogan.

“Alex Pereira, I wanna Chama on your mama,” Hokit exclaimed. “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

The audience reaction appeared muted, with it almost seeming as if the crowd was taken aback by his words as well. 

For those surprised by Hokit’s comments regarding the former First Lady, the UFC heavyweight contender’s remarks are nothing new. Before joining the UFC, the 28-year-old Californian made the same comment following his victory over Eric Lunsford at LFA 208 last May. However, his repeating it at UFC Freedom 250 came across as a little odd, especially as he had already targeted ‘Paotan‘.

The UFC’s fifth-ranked heavyweight’s statement came on the back of him showcasing his NCAA Division I wrestling credentials throughout the fight from the very first round. He landed two takedowns and 86 strikes on Lewis. When ‘ The Black Beast’ attempted to push him away, Hokit remained relentless. He attempted to secure a submission victory with an armbar in the first round, but Lewis managed to survive. That just delayed the inevitable, with Hokit putting away the veteran heavyweight with a barrage of precise strikes. 

The phrase “Chama on your mama” first surfaced during the UFC Freedom 250 promotional press conference in New Jersey in May, when Hokit used it as an insult toward Pereira. At the time, Ilia Topuria retaliated by throwing a water bottle at Hokit.

Since then, Hokit has continued using the phrase to fuel his growing rivalry with Pereira, hoping to secure a fight with the former two-division champion. The undefeated heavyweight has repeatedly taken shots at Pereira in interviews and media appearances leading up to the White House event.

Following those comments, Hokit also found himself involved in a confrontation with Pereira at the fighters’ hotel, drawing significant backlash from fans and fellow fighters at the time as well. That was the sentiment even after UFC Freedom 250, with the 10-0 undefeated fighter’s words once again drawing backlash online.

Josh Hokit draws fans’ ire after controversial post-fight rant at UFC Freedom 250

A user expressed surprise at Hokit’s comments and wrote, “Ngl bro I excepted him to say something crazy but this.”

Another fan wrote, “I don’t think the ufc going to allow him fight again we might not see him fight Alex.”

The manner in which Rogan abruptly ended the interview gives rise to this sentiment, as the UFC may penalize Hokit. A different fan went even further and suggested that the heavyweight contender could be released from the promotion, writing, “He’s getting cut no way.”

Well, the speculation surrounding Hokit’s UFC future largely stems from Pereira’s recent comments during UFC media day. The former two-division champion revealed that he had heard rumors about the promotion potentially dropping the Californian. While Pereira did not elaborate on the reason, many fans assumed Hokit’s repeated antics and controversial statements may have played a role.

However, there has been no official indication from the UFC that Hokit’s roster spot is actually in danger. As a result, some fans remain focused on what could happen if the undefeated heavyweight eventually gets his wish and shares the Octagon with Pereira.

One user summed up that sentiment by writing, “Fight Alex and see what the f–k happens.”

Following that, another fan pointed out that Pereira already has business to take care of first, writing, “Pereira has a fight soon after Gane.”

At the same time, a different user acknowledged Hokit’s ability to generate attention but still favored the Brazilian in a potential matchup, writing, “Yeah Josh Hokit is good at creating hype with all his s–t talking but Alex pereira will close that shut that comes out his mouth.”

Pereira revealed that he has little interest in sitting on the sidelines while waiting for heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who is currently recovering from the eye injury he suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. As such, the UFC could potentially explore alternative options if Pereira remains active later this year.

As Gane ended up stopping Pereira at UFC Freedom 250, ‘Paotan’ will be ranked in the heavyweight division and will not have an immediate title fight. This could see him earn a fight against Hokit, who will not sit lower than fifth when the updated rankings are out. 

A fight between Alex Pereira and Josh Hokit is beginning to look like a realistic possibility, but it remains to be seen how the UFC responds to the Obama comment.