Buffer Reveals Cormier Stopped Him Swatting Hokit

Bruce Buffer came close to physically responding when Josh Hokit flipped him off at UFC 334, but Daniel Cormier convinced the veteran announcer to let it slide.

The confrontation happened during fighter introductions at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Buffer had anticipated the gesture from Hokit, whose comments about Michelle Obama during October's UFC Freedom 250 broadcast sparked their ongoing tension. Buffer publicly criticized the heavyweight's conduct after that incident, BJPenn.com reports.

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Cormier Stepped In Before Buffer Could React

Speaking with Jon Anik after the card wrapped, Buffer disclosed he'd mapped out a plan to knock Hokit's extended middle finger aside but scrapped it following Cormier's counsel. The announcer told Anik he has no second thoughts about restraining himself, adding that creating a scene would have shifted focus away from the fighters, per Bloody Elbow.

Dana White weighed in on the incident at the post-fight presser, saying Hokit crosses lines regularly but reserved his harshest words for the Freedom 250 remarks. Hokit absorbed a five-round beating from Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight title bout, losing by unanimous decision despite a determined effort.

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The challenger is now pursuing a second crack at Gane and the belt.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Bruce Buffer planned to swipe Josh Hokit’s hand away during UFC 334 introductions before Daniel Cormier intervened