The final UFC Freedom 250 press conference at the Lincoln Memorial was already running over an hour late due to inclement weather. Fans waiting outside the memorial started getting frustrated and later chanted against UFC CEO Dana White. All 14 fighters scheduled to compete at the White House Event were present for the media event.
Among them, Josh Hokit turned heads with something unusual. He kicked off with an apology over his previous takes on the fallout from the Newark presser. Addressing Ilia Topuria, he said he was sorry for ruining it last time and that both Topuria and Alex Pereira were actually among his favorite fighters.
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 want to apologize for all of that. Yeah, I’m nervous right now. Thank you guys. Thanks for having me, Dana. I’m trying to keep the Incredible Hulk from coming out, so I’m doing my best.”
This apology, however, didn’t last for long. Instead of focusing solely on his scheduled opponent, Derrick Lewis, the 9-0 heavyweight pivoted directly at the lightweight champion. Hokit took a shot at Ilia Topuria‘s height, joking that he was too short to see himself in the bathroom mirror. He then followed it up with a personal remark about Topuria’s ex-wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell.
I think Topuria’s so mad, he’s so short he can’t see himself in the bathroom mirror. And he married a str*pper from Miami.”
Josh Hokit is set to face ‘The Black Beast’ aka Derrick Lewis at the UFC White House Event on Sunday. Despite the press conference being delayed by weather and pushed back to 9:00 p.m. ET, with fighters finally taking the stage around 9:20 p.m., Hokit still found a way to become one of the night’s biggest talking points.
Unlike Newark, Ilia Topuria Refused to Give Josh Hokit the Reaction He Wanted
What’s Ilia Topuria’s reaction? He simply ignored the entire segment. That’s a notable shift, as during the Newark kickoff presser last month, Topuria stood from his seat and threw a bottle at Hokit, and had to be physically separated from the heavyweight after taking exception to remarks directed at Pereira’s mother. Security quickly intervened, and Hokit was eventually escorted off the stage. Tonight Topuria chose the more composed route while the anger on his face was clearly visible.
There’s also context behind Topuria’s decision. He had already told Justin Gaethje earlier this week that bringing up his divorce crossed a line. Responding to Hokit would have meant engaging with the same topic twice in the same fight week, in front of cameras, at the Lincoln Memorial. Instead, he chose not to go there.
Hokit walked away with the same material he came in with. Without footage and a camera moment.
