One by one, Dana White is bringing in the next big stars of the UFC heavyweight scene. The heavyweight division, once the shining star of the promotion, has hit a bit of a standstill. Top fighters like Jon Jones have been in the ring just twice over the last five years, which has left the division feeling pretty stale, with title defenses becoming a rare sight and new matchups hard to come by. With a limited crop of fresh talent stepping up, it’s no wonder the division is losing its edge.

Everything shifted after June, when Jon Jones vacated the belt—paving the way for Tom Aspinall to claim the undisputed crown. Seizing the moment, Dana White launched a talent hunt—and he moved fast. First up, former PFL champion Ante Delija, Aspinall’s teammate, made an immediate splash. Then came BJJ powerhouse and ex-ONE star Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida, followed by undefeated Polish phenom Marek Bujło.

Now, the UFC has zeroed in on another explosive prospect: former NFL standout Josh Hokit, ready to bring wrestling, power, and knockout potential to the heavyweight mix. Josh Hokit made a statement back in August at DWCS 9.2, landing a highlight-reel elbow knockout over Guilherme Uriel—which secured his UFC spot in dramatic fashion. He confirmed the news on X: “Contract signed. November 8th UFC debut.”

Undefeated at 6-0, Hokit has honed his striking and grappling skills in Bellator and LFA. Yet, it’s his collegiate wrestling background that truly gives him an edge, providing a solid foundation to handle the UFC’s elite competition. Still, fans remain skeptical about whether the former NFL star can make his mark in the octagon.

Skepticism rises over the new fighter in UFC champion Tom Aspinall’s division

Before stepping into the MMA cage, Josh Hokit navigated several years in the NFL. Initially, he joined the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, spent time on the practice squad, and experienced multiple waivers and re-signings between 2020 and 2022. Later, in August 2022, he briefly signed with the Arizona Cardinals, only to be waived five days later.

After leaving the NFL, Hokit turned his full focus to mixed martial arts. He signed with Bellator MMA in March 2023 and made his professional debut on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300, earning a decisive victory that extended his undefeated record. Nevertheless, fans remain divided on his UFC potential. One commented, “It’s not a pie-eating contest. It’s a fight and I would take his soul from him,” while another added, “Please just make weight, bro.”

Hokit’s NFL journey showed persistence. After going undrafted in 2020, the 49ers signed him, waived him during final roster cuts, and immediately re-signed him to the practice squad. He landed on the COVID-19/reserve list in December 2020 before being activated. In January 2021, he signed a futures contract, only to face the cycle of waivers and practice squad re-signings again. Following these stints, Hokit committed fully to MMA, winning every fight by finish. Fans express optimism about his UFC trajectory, with one writing, “Nice! Looking forward to it!!” and another adding, “Hell yeah, hoss.”

The UFC roster has long lacked a standout American champion, with the male divisions dominated by fighters from Brazil, Georgia, Australia, Spain, Russia, and the UK. Now, Josh Hokit’s entry injects fresh energy into the mix. He’s set to make his UFC debut on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although the full fight card is still unannounced, anticipation is already building. Some fans remain indifferent, commenting, “We do not care,” while others are hoping for fireworks: “Please bring some heat to this dead heavyweight division.”

Hokit stepping onto the scene could be a game changer for American representation on the roster, and everyone’s watching to see if he can shake things up. With this move, Dana White and the UFC are looking to bounce back after some previous blunders in the heavyweight scene, like that missed opportunity with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Can White bridge the divide and breathe new life into the division? The countdown is on, and the fans are all eyes and ears.