Josh Hokit repeatedly disrupted a UFC press conference at the White House on Friday, drawing the ire of reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Hokit, who had previously been escorted off stage at a separate pre-fight press conference after an altercation with Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira, appeared this time with a more subdued persona but continued to seek the spotlight. He repeatedly interjected during questions directed at Topuria, despite none being aimed at him.
Introducing himself as separate from his alter ego, Hokit said, “I’m nervous right now. It’s just regular Josh, today. Thanks for having me, Dana. I’m trying to keep the Incredible Hok from not coming out. I’m doing my best. Thank you.” He also apologized for his past behavior, adding, “The Incredible Hok says he’s going to put Derrick to sleep, like Sleepy Joe, but I like Derrick Lewis. I just want to apologize for ruining the press conference last time. I like Topuria, too. I like Pereira, those are my favorite fighters. So I just wanted to apologize for all of that.”
As Hokit continued with comments about Topuria and Pereira, Topuria’s patience wore thin. At one point, he snapped, “Can someone just shut this guy up?” before later demanding, “Turn his mic off!” and repeating, “Just shut up. Thanks very much but shut up. Just shut up.”
Hokit, who refers to his alter ego as the Incredible Hok, continued to oscillate between insults and praise for Topuria, saying, “Topuria’s probably my favorite fighter to be honest. He knocks everybody out.”
