The UFC Freedom 250 pre-fight press conference in front of the Lincoln Memorial ahead was supposed to be about championship fights, title implications, and one of the biggest events in company history.
Instead, much of the spotlight ended up on heavyweight contender Josh Hokit. He arrived in Washington D.C. with a brand-new character and turned the event into his personal comedy show.
“Regular Josh” shows up
Fans expecting to see the loud and outrageous “Incredible Hok” were introduced to a completely different version of Josh Hokit.
Calling himself “Regular Josh,” Hokit portrayed an awkward, nervous, and overly talkative personality that somehow managed to insert itself into nearly every discussion on stage.
Every time another fighter was asked a question, Hokit seemed determined to offer his opinions and predictions.
He complimented several fighters throughout the event, praised Steve Garcia’s work ethic, called Ciryl Gane one of the best athletes on the stage, and repeatedly apologized for “The Hok’s” behavior.
The problem was that nobody could get him to stop talking.
Josh Hokit gets under Topuria’s skin
The funniest moments of the afternoon came whenever Hokit decided to target UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. Initially, Hokit praised Topuria.
“Toporia is probably my favorite fighter. I’ll be honest. He knocks everybody out.”
Moments later, he was back causing trouble.
“The Incredible Hulk says Pereira chews up Topuria’s food and bird–feeds it in his mouth.”
Topuria finally had enough.
“Thank you very much. But shut up.”
The champion’s frustration only grew as Hokit continued jumping into discussions that had nothing to do with him.
Later in the press conference, Hokit once again interrupted a conversation involving Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
“I don’t think so. The Incredible Hok is going for Gaethje for America.”
Topuria immediately fired back.
“Take his mic off.”
This was when Hokit really made things personal. He insulted Ilia’s height, and made jabs at his now ex-wife.
“I think Topuria is so mad cuz he’s so short he can’t see himself in the bathroom mirror.”
“And he married a stripper from Miami. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. The Incredible Hok, he just be getting me in trouble, man.”
Things get edgy between Topuria and Gaethje
While Hokit provided the entertainment, the lightweight title fight delivered the most genuine tension of the afternoon. Topuria remained extremely confident throughout the event and repeatedly predicted an early finish.
“I know that I’m going to take his lights out in the first round.”
“For myself, I’m the number one.”
Gaethje wasn’t interested in backing down. The interim champion acknowledged Topuria’s accomplishments but pointed to his own experience against elite competition.
“There’s no doubt this guy is one of the best in the world.”
“I have fought the best of the best. I have so much experience in the cage.”
Coach vs Coach
The exchange escalated when the conversation shifted toward coaching. Gaethje expressed confidence in the game plan his team had prepared for Sunday night.
“I am sure that my coach has come up with a magnificent plan for me.”
Topuria immediately challenged that claim and questioned why Gaethje considered his coach the best.
“You are talking about your coach as one of the best. You are not even the world champion.”
Gaethje defended his corner, pointing to their accomplishments and success with multiple athletes.
“What makes my coach the best? His success as a coach, other athletes, myself, our accomplishments.”
Topuria quickly fired back.
“So that makes my coach the best in the world because I won the world title in the featherweight division. I defended successfully. Then I moved up and won the lightweight title.”
“My coach is the best in the world because I’m the best in the world.”
The verbal sparring continued when Topuria claimed Gaethje already knew what was coming on Sunday.
“Justin in the bottom of his heart, he knows that I’m going to knock him out in the first round.”
Gaethje immediately shut the idea down.
“Not true.”
Staredowns are mostly peaceful
Despite the verbal tension throughout the afternoon, most of the faceoffs remained respectful.
The lightweight title fight carried the most visible hostility. Topuria and Gaethje exchanged words throughout the event and continued staring each other down during the final faceoff.
The only real physical moment came at the very end when Topuria gave Gaethje a shove during their staredown before security stepped in.
Compared to the heated buildup, however, the confrontation remained relatively minor.
Analysis: Josh Hokit won the press conference 10-8
The biggest winner of the press conference was Josh Hokit. His “Regular Josh” character managed to hijack one of the most important UFC press conferences of the year and become the most talked-about person on stage.
If he can win his next fight, he will likely be in title contention (although the Tom Aspinall/Eddy Hearn situation still needs to be sorted out.
If not, I am sure he always has a potential career in TKO’s other promotion: WWE.