Tension spilled into the crowd at UFC 328 when Josh Hokit and Paulo Costa had to be separated by security during Saturday night’s event.
The confrontation started when the two fighters exchanged words cageside. As they moved closer to one another, security and police officers quickly stepped in before the situation escalated.
Video from the arena showed Costa being pulled away while Hokit continued shouting from the opposite side of the crowd.
“There’s only one f***ing bad guy,” Hokit said. “Get the f**k out of here!”
Hokit also flashed the middle finger toward Costa as security kept the fighters apart.
Costa appeared calm throughout the exchange and did not attempt to push past security once officers intervened.
Hokit Continues Chaotic UFC 328 Weekend
The incident added another chapter to an already chaotic weekend for Hokit. One night earlier, Hokit was removed from the UFC White House press conference after an altercation involving Ilia Topuria. He had also verbally targeted former champion Alex Pereira during the event.
Hokit’s rising profile inside the UFC has come alongside his increasingly aggressive public persona. The heavyweight contender recently picked up a major win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 and is now scheduled to face Derrick Lewis at the upcoming UFC White House card in July.
Costa, on his part, seems to be willing to move to heavyweight face the loudmouth.