UFC’s trash-talking king Josh Hokit is able to be topped heavyweight champion
Should Josh Hokit’s shock-and-awe approach land him UFC gold, then ‘diss’ could be the end of the world (heavyweight championship) as we know it.
Hokit, even if you feel he is overhyped and overindulged, will have overwhelming support when he challenges Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title at UFC 334 at New York’s Madison Square Garden this weekend.
The undefeated American has been known to get lyrical, satirical and political on the mic, but many have been critical, and rightly so, at the off-colour jibes he has also made, most notably against WNBA star Brittney Griner and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Josh Hokit starred at the White House card in June to book his heavyweight title shot at MSG(Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
‘The Incredible Hok’ has taken things one step further in the build up to his clash with Gane, releasing a ‘diss track’ rap that takes aim at the Frenchman – “Hey, dirty fighting Frenchie leaving in a diaper. Choke you out. You a one-trick striker” – as well as a host of UFC stars, including ex-champions Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones and Ilia Topuria.
While Hokit will get a title shot in just his fifth fight in the UFC, having only made his debut a year ago, he hasn’t been rocketed to the top by the company on the back of his OTT antics, with president Dana White revealing on The Jim Rome Show: “I didn’t like some of the things he said.
“I might’ve thrown some tough guys at him – and he passed every test. Like him or hate him, he’s fought his way to the top. There’s no denying that this guy deserves this title shot.”
France’s Ciryl Gane will be out to make the first defence of his undisputed title this weekend(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
However, while Hokit often opts to go for the lowest common denominator to get the spotlight, his stock could not be higher – and a championship win could give him the licence to go even more hog wild.
But don’t let Hokit’s bizarre antics, larger-than-life personality and patriotic posing fool you – when the Octagon door shuts, this man can get the job done in a professional and often timely manner.
Undersized for a heavyweight at 6ft 1in and around 240lbs, Hokit, who is 10-0, uses his athleticism, having wrestled and played American football at Fresno State University, to grind down his bigger opponents. His decision win over Curtis Blaydes in April showed his grit, while his TKO of Derrick Lewis at the White House in June proved he packs some power.
US President Donald Trump takes a close look during Hokit’s bruising win over Curtis Blaydes(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Imposing former kickboxer Gane will have all the advantages when it comes to the tale of the tape at MSG and his laid-back demeanour means he is unlikely to get riled, however much his rival tries to get under his skin.
However, if the division’s joker can somehow become its king, then ‘diss’ could lead to Hokit becoming the talk of the Octagon and beyond, for good and bad.
UP NEXT: UFC 334, Sunday, 2am. Kayla Harrison also puts her bantamweight belt on the line against a returning Amanda Nunes at MSG.
MONEY MATCH: Dutch kickboxer turned MMA fighter Yousri Belgaroui (13/10) can vault up the middleweight rankings with a win over Caio Borralho. Odds and full UFC betting available at boylesports.com
FINAL SAY: “Ten and O and I want another one. The heavyweight champ you love to hate, but can’t outrun… it doesn’t matter who the foe is, middle finger in the air for Team Hokit.” Expect an album if ‘The Incredible Hok’ wins gold.
