The proof is there on YouTube.

The real Josh Hokit. No, not that real Josh Hokit.

The actual Josh Hokit is a former football player and hard-working contender who is looking to make the most of his career transition to professional MMA fighter. He made his professional debut at 25 years-old at the seminal Bellator 300 event in 2023, back then just making the most of the platform given. Fast forward three years later and Hokit remains undefeated at 9-0.

But that’s not the biggest change.

“The Incredible Hok” has embraced a relentless approach on the microphone that has led to trepidation for his promotional appearances that rivals that of middleweight champion Sean Strickland. There are shades of everyone in his on-stage persona, from the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage of the WWE to his friend and advisor Chael Sonnen whose 2010 verbal assault led to a Hall of Fame bout against the legendary Anderson Silva.

Put himself on the biggest stage with this fight! 😮‍💨@Josh_HokitUFC is looking for a repeat performance on June 14th!

[ #UFCWhiteHouse presented by @cryptocom & @ramtrucks ] pic.twitter.com/1S0RQrYbd2

— UFC (@ufc) May 18, 2026

Let’s be blunt, Hokit is not politically correct in many of his comments whether they be from his fake characters or otherwise. He crosses the unspoken lines of pre-fight talk in bringing in children, spouses, and more into his loud tirades. Ask him a question and he will say something. To be clear, that’s not the same as answering said question. It is brash, off-putting, and draws the ire of foes both current and potential alike. He plays the villain willingly and passionately. You can say he goes too far but he ascribes to the Chael Sonnen rule of playing the heel: bad guys never apologize.

The talk would be all bluster if not for the fact that the man can fight. This was never more evident than by his most recent match. Hokit took a leap as he went from fighting fellow developing professional Denzel Freeman to fighting former title challenger and perennially top five ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes. Blaydes had dispatched all manner of far more experienced foes than Hokit in his UFC career and has shared the cage with the best of the era. But in April, the promotion booked the two together and they put on what has been praised as the Fight of the Year so far. Despite Blaydes grappling and resilience, Hokit prevailed behind admirable tenacity. So exciting was the performance that UFC CEO Dana White claimed he had CFO Hunter Campbell approach Hokit that night as he was being loaded into an ambulance about fighting at the White House.

The stage is now set for a wild scene. Hokit is fighting a dangerous contender in Derrick Lewis who White has claimed is a personal favorite fighter of the United States’ President Donald Trump. Further, the anticipation for how far he is willing to push the bubble — if he doesn’t burst it altogether — has many fans wondering if the pre-fight press conference at the Lincoln Memorial will be the most shocking in the history of the UFC. The kickoff presser in Newark already saw insane scenes as Hokit had conflicts with two fighters he wasn’t even booked against and had to be removed from the scene.

What goes up must come down eventually. But should Hokit’s star continue to rise on Sunday, the one can only wonder just how far — and wild — his journey could go next.

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Those would be Justin Gaethje, lightweight champ Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, and Ciryl Gane.

Of course, the event is being held on the White House grounds in Washington, on Trump’s birthday no less. Yet few expected him to host what amounted to a brief press conference, with Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz— long reported to have links to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and who later worked as an FBI informant— even giving a speech.

Then, there was the unveiling of a special, themed belt for the card, which is headlined by lightweight champ Topuria and American challenger/interim champ Gaethje. The only American fighter among the top four, Gaethje took time for laud Trump on Wednesday for opening his venues to the promotion back when arenas wouldn’t book them in the early years of the company.

“I’d think we’d be ten years behind if it wasn’t for you, so thank you for that,” stated Gaethje, who was still seven years away from starting his pro career the last time a UFC event was held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, back in 2001.

Opponent Topuria, favored to retain his title next month, lauded Trump as well, saying “I never thought you would be so kind.” At the same time, he questioned why Trump wanted “to give the toughest test to your friend [Gaethje]?”

As Gaethje interjected, saying “that’s what I want,” Trump and Topuria had a little back and forth. “I want to give the hardest test, we’re going to give the hardest test. And actually each one of you is fighting your toughest test I think,” stated Trump. “You know your opponent very well, very tough.”

“I know him. Very tough opponent,” Topuria said in response.

“Do you feel good?” asked Trump. “Very good,” answered Topuria, who added that he had “complete faith” when Trump asked what his chances of winning were.

“100%, right? And they believe that too,” observed Trump, with Topuria adding that he hoped Gaethje “has that same faith. That’s going to make an amazing fight.”

The seven-fight Freedom 250 card at the White House takes place on June 14. Originally planned for July 4 to coincide with the American Semiquincentennial (250 years since the nation’s founding), the card was soon shifted to the June date, though it still carries the Freedom 250 name.

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While regulation is always welcome, the selection of the ABC over the District of Columbia commission has raised eyebrows.

In a press release distributed to media outlets including Cageside Press, the UFC cited Association of Boxing Commissions President Timothy Shipman, as saying that “As the event is being held on federal property, there is no requirement for the UFC to select a state athletic commission to oversee the event.”

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In a press release issued on Wednesday, promotion President and CEO Dana White issued a statement, saying that “I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country,” and adding “Our UFC fighters are some of the baddest men and women on the planet and they are heading to Quantico to train the best FBI agents in mixed martial arts. It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes to experience, and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.”

The link-up between the UFC and FBI was previously announced by FBI Director Kash Patel. The move came under scrutiny due to the ties between U.S. President Donald Trump and the UFC, who have a history dating back to the early days of the promotion. In particular, UFC 28 and UFC 31 were held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The UFC’s White has also spoken on Trump’s behalf on several occasions, including introducing him at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

In June, the UFC will host its Freedom 250 card on the White House grounds, a historic first for any sports promotion. While various championship teams have visited the White House, no professional sporting event has ever been held there.

Athletes working alongside the FBI this month, meanwhile, include interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who will be headlining the White House card on June 14. Also involved, Jorge Masvidal, Claudia Gadelha, Chris Weidman, Michael Chandler, Manel Kape, Renzo Gracie, and matchmaker Mitch Maynard.

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And also for the man he would rather be fighting.

On Tuesday, “El Matador,” a former featherweight champion in the company who moved to lightweight last year, posted a pointed message on social media directed at Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje.

UFC CEO and President Dana White revealed on Sunday that Makhachev had a hand injury, and was never considered for the White House card as a result.

Topuria considers that an excuse. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has targeted a fight with Makhachev since he was featherweight champ. Just as Topuria moved to lightweight, Makhachev jumped up to welterweight. Both won titles in their new homes after vacating their previous belts.

“Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it’s an injury. I always knew I would be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they wouldn’t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation,” wrote Topuria in a post on social media on Tuesday. “When they finally told me I would be on the White House card, they mentioned Islam and I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept the fight. Even though the fight hadn’t been officially confirmed yet, the White House card was going to be announced the next day. And when I woke, I found out that Islam had gotten injured.”

“And then Justin Gaethje appeared. Once again, someone else who will pay for Islam’s escape,” Topuria continued. “Both of their manager is a b*tch and also ugly as hell.”

“Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.”

Gaethje and Makhachev are represented by the same management team, Dominance MMA.

The post Topuria: Makhachev Came Up With “Excuse,” Tells Gaethje “It Will Be Quick” appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Monday, in an MVP Uncut video promoting her upcoming fight against Gina Carano on Netflix, Rousey made light of the UFC’s current legal situation. Since 2014, the UFC has been battling a string of class action lawsuits, starting with Le vs. Zuffa, which was settled to the tune of $375 million U.S. in 2024, with payouts distributed last year.

Lawsuits launched by Kajan Johnson, covering a different class period, and Misha Cirkonov, who is challenging the promotion’s use of contracts to restrict fighters from participating in class action lawsuits, are still ongoing.

“We’re helping them [UFC], because they’re suffering from a lack of competition. They can’t just make a class-action lawsuit every couple years the cost of doing business. I’m really trying to help Dana [White] out,” Rousey said with a laugh, speaking on camera to MVP’s Nakisa Bidarian. “If anyone has been groomed to be his apprentice, it’s been me. I think I’d be the most favorite adversary he’s ever had.”

The comments may have been made in jest, but there’s some truth behind them. Depending on how the remaining lawsuits play out, there’s a chance that the UFC will have paid out close to, if not over, $800 million to over a billion dollars due to legal action, in a period of years.

With their new seven-year, $7.7 billion dollar broadcast deal with Paramount+, the UFC/Zuffa and parent company TKO Group aren’t hurting for cash, but the amount remains significant.

On Monday, in a tweet promoting her own card, which has been joined by lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, Rousey finished off by saying “P.S [UFC]’s White House card sucks.”

Another shot fired.

Fans have been divided on the “Freedom 250” event at the White House, with many seeing Saturday’s announcement of the card by the promotion as underwhelming, with all of the company’s top stars including Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Jorge Masvidal absent.

Rousey, who last fought in a loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016, faces Carano, retired since 2009, on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA.

The post Rousey: UFC Can’t “Make a Class-Action Lawsuit Every Couple Years the Cost of Doing Business” appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Saturday, promotion officials released the line-up for the card, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje. While a good fight with tons of potential, the entire six-fight event was met with mixed reaction from fans.

Dana White later stated that despite Jon Jones’ claim that he was negotiating with the UFC, there was never a plan for “Bones,” a former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, to headline the card. He did, however, admit that Topuria vs. Gaethje was a last-minute addition to the show, and revealed that a fight had fallen through on Friday.

Jones, who previously questioned the UFC’s narrative in since-deleted posts to Twitter/X, released a longer statement on Monday that also requested his release from the promotion.

“Hey everyone, I wanted to address Dana White’s comments from this past weekend, because the truth matters to me and the fans,” wrote Jones. “Dana, you were heated about why I’m not on the White House card, but let’s clear something up. My team and I were actually negotiating with the UFC for that fight. Real negotiations. I even came down from my original number, and what was I offered in return ? I was lowballed.

Jones then responded to comments White made about his arthritic hip, a condition Jones revealed just weeks ago. “Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight. So let me get this straight, if I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I’d be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense. I even received stem cell treatment last week to get ready for the White House card, and training camp was scheduled to start today. I was preparing to be ready.”

“I understand business deals fall through sometimes, but going out publicly and saying things that aren’t true isn’t right. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m “done” is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number. If the UFC truly feels like I’m done, then I respectfully ask to be released from my contract today. No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up. Bones out.”

Jones has long coveted a fight with Alex “Poatan” Pereira, who is vacating his light heavyweight title for a move to heavyweight. He’s currently booked to fight Ciryl Gane for an interim title on the Freedom 250 card.

Another legacy fight for Jones, Francis Ngannou, recently announced he was fighting for MVP on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on Netflix. With Netflix likely willing to pony up money for big fights, Jones may now see a bigger payday waiting outside the UFC.

The post Jon Jones Requests UFC Release, Says Promotion “Lowballed” Him appeared first on Cageside Press.

Specifically, fans and media members want to know what fight fell through on Friday, after the promotion’s head honcho let slip about a cancellation at the last minute. It appears the fight that fell through was a main event, as White has now confirmed that on Thursday, Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, who headline the June 14 show, weren’t even scheduled to take part.

While White remains mum on what the fight was, he confirmed on Sunday following the latest Zuffa Boxing event that it was not a rumored match-up between Islam Makhachev and Topuria. “That’s not true,” said White, with media members including Cageside Press on hand.

When it comes to Justin Gaethje saying he wasn’t part of the card as of Thursday, however, White confirmed that report. “That is true.”

“It was never Islam versus Topuria,” added White. “Don’t worry about what fights are being made. We announce which ones are made and which ones will be happening. I told you, there were some weird circumstances, the reason that fight fell out. And it wasn’t up on stage with Mick, Hunter and Sean. It was at PowerSlap that the fight fell apart that night, and then all the boys went back to the office and literally were there until nine in the morning.”

“That’s how Gaethje wound up on the card. And Topuria wasn’t originally supposed to be on the card either,” continued White. “So he got the call too.”

Asked about a return timeframe for Islam Makhachev, the UFC’s welterweight champion, White was unsure, but confirmed he’s injured. “I don’t know. He’s got some hand issues, I know that. I don’t know how serious they are or how long that will keep him out, but he’s injured.”

Watch the full Zuffa Boxing press conference with Dana White above.

The post Dana White: Makhachev Never Part of White House Card, Topuria-Gaethje Was Late Addition appeared first on Cageside Press.

During Saturday’s UFC 326 broadcast, promotion officials revealed that the card, now entitled Freedom 250, would be headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, for Topuria’s lightweight title.

The co-main event sees Alex Pereira, recently announced as vacating his light heavyweight title, take on former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. An interim belt will be on the line in that one.

The elephant in the room is Jon Jones, who just days ago suggested he was still negotiating to appear on the White House card. “Bones” was not mentioned by name during Saturday’s announcement, nor has White confirmed that he was part of the fight that reportedly fell through on Friday.

The remaining UFC White House (Freedom 250) fights announced on Saturday include a potential bantamweight title eliminator, as ex-135lb champ Sean O’Malley takes on rising Canadian Aiemann Zahabi.

At lightweight, Mauricio Ruffy of The Fighting Nerds faces off against “Iron” Michael Chandler, once expected to be Conor McGregor’s next opponent. Like Jones, McGregor’s name was nowhere to be found on Saturday.

Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus takes place at middleweight, while Diego Lopes kicks off the night opposite Steve Garcia.

THE OFFICIAL BOUT LIST FOR #UFCWhiteHouse

[ LIVE Sunday June 14 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/06d09Tm0jZ

— UFC (@ufc) March 8, 2026

The card will almost certainly be talked about as much for who isn’t on it, primarily Jon Jones, as who is. In recent weeks, it has been suggested that the promotion was going a different direction with McGregor, whose star power is capable of elevating any event on its own, and might therefore be wasted on a White House event expected to already draw plenty of attention.

Jones, however, seemed like a possibility, despite Dana White’s reluctance to put the troubled star on such a big card.

Fighters like Colby Covington and Derrick Lewis, a couple of U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported favorites, were also missing from the line-up.

UFC’s Freedom 250 event takes place on June 14, 2026 on the White House lawn in Washington, D.C.

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He also, since it was going to be obvious anyway what with Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg fighting for light heavyweight gold, noted that Alex Pereira was vacating his light heavyweight title.

The wheels and cogs of the UFC’s matchmaking machine have clearly been turning these past few days. Now, former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones has revealed he’s “in negotiations” to fight at the White House event in June.

Speaking to fans at The Brook, a New Hampshire-based casino and entertainment complex, Jones exclaimed to a round of applause that “I’m in negotiations about this White House thing as well,” adding “I’m a very, very, very proud American, and I cannot wait to represent one more time, so we’ll see what happens.”

🚨 Jon Jones reveals he's in talks to fight on the UFC White House card 👀

"I'm in negotiations with the UFC about this White House [fight] as well. I'm a very proud American, and I cannot wait to represent one more time." pic.twitter.com/5dySHjvDc4

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 1, 2026

Jones’ involvement in the UFC White House card was nixed early on by Dana White, citing the superstar’s history of fight cancellations and egregious behavior outside the cage. Jones has, after all, been stripped of UFC championships on three separate occasions, a promotion record.

At the same time, “Bones” remains a top pick for MMA’s GOAT (Greatest of All Time), alongside Georges St-Pierre and Demetrious Johnson. And he’s expressed interest in a super-fight with Pereira, who now seems intent on moving up to heavyweight after winning titles at middleweight and light heavyweight.

The stars might just align for once. The UFC no doubt wants an American star to headline the White House card, and Jones has long expressed interest in both Pereira, and the event. While he was cool on heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall, Aspinall remains out with an eye injury.

Whether this leads to an interim title, or Aspinall is unceremoniously stripped (which would spark considerable uproar), remains to be seen. But Jon Jones appears to be one step closer to fighting at the White House.

The card takes place on the White House grounds in Washington, D.C. on June 16, 2026.

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