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Eight fights into his professional MMA career, Josh Hokit has been sprinting through opposition. Two UFC wins, both via first-round TKO, and a $100,000 bonus at UFC 324 have quickly turned ‘The Incredible Hok’ into a name to watch. Now comes the real test: a matchup against veteran Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327—a seasoned contender with elite wrestling versus a newcomer who hasn’t been extended past early rounds, and this is where hype meets reality.

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But while Hokit’s performances are loud, his background raises just as many questions. From football fields to wrestling mats to controversial interviews, there’s more going on beneath the surface. So where does he actually come from, and what shapes his identity outside the cage?

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What is Josh Hokit’s ethnicity and nationality?

Josh Seth Hokit is American by nationality. He was born on November 12, 1997, in California, grew up in Wasco, and later moved to Clovis. His roots are firmly tied to the United States, both culturally and athletically.

Hokit didn’t come up through a traditional MMA pipeline. Instead, his foundation is split between wrestling and football, and the numbers back that up. In high school wrestling, he peaked as the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the nation. On the football side, he recorded 125 tackles on defense and rushed for 820 yards with eight touchdowns on offense.

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At Fresno State, that versatility continued. As a sophomore, he logged 583 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, ranking among the top contributors in the Mountain West Conference. Add to that his wrestling credentials, multiple All-American honors, and you get a rare combination: explosiveness from football, control from wrestling.

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In a UFC.com Q&A, Hokit summed up his entry into MMA in his own blunt way:

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“Three years ago. Beating people up for money is fun.”

But his rise hasn’t been without controversy. Josh Hokit has drawn criticism for remarks in post-fight interviews, including comments that sparked backlash from the media and even drew a response from UFC boss Dana White. While some fans have leaned into his unfiltered persona, others have questioned how that will impact his trajectory in a sport where public image matters.

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Is Josh Hokit Christian?

Yes, Josh Hokit is a Christian, and after one of his 2025 MMA wins, he revealed his faith and his reverence for his religion during the post-fight interview:

“There’s only one person more incredible than the Incredible Hok, and that’s Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.”

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Now, as Hokit prepares to face Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327, the narrative is straightforward: an undefeated prospect versus an established contender. Can Josh Hokit’s surge of momentum hold up when facing a seasoned veteran? Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by

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Dushyant Patni

2,522 Articles

Dushyant Patni is a Senior UFC Writer at EssentiallySports, bringing over eight years of diverse writing experience and a Master’s in English Literature to the fight game. For the past two years, he has been a key figure at the ES Fight Night Desk, covering live MMA action with a sharp eye for subtle in-round details that often escape casual viewers. A lifelong combat sports enthusiast, Dushyant’s passion spans boxing, Bruce Lee’s martial arts philosophy, PRIDE FC’s golden era, and modern-day UFC.

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Gokul Pillai

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