Cormier Endorses Hokit Title Shot After Aspinall Vacancy

Daniel Cormier wants Josh Hokit to fight for the heavyweight title now that Tom Aspinall has relinquished the belt.

Aspinall announced Monday he is vacating the championship due to ongoing eye problems, per BJPenn.com. The titleholder has not fought since a no contest with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 and recently suffered multiple setbacks in his recovery. Gane is expected to be promoted to undisputed champion and defend the belt later this year.

Cormier: Hokit's Fighting Style Makes Him The Right Choice

Hokit has called out Gane repeatedly in recent days. Other contenders including former heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Sergei Pavlovich also make compelling cases for a title shot, but Cormier believes Hokit's combination of fighting style and marketability puts him ahead of the pack.

"Ciryl Gane should defend the heavyweight championship against Josh Hokit, that's the fight," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "I know that Josh Hokit annoys some, he came at me, and he can be a bit...much. But I believe that if you're moving on from Tom Aspinall right now, I believe Josh Hokit should be part of the next heavyweight title fight."

Cormier pointed to Hokit's undefeated record and willingness to engage as reasons why the brash contender deserves the opportunity. Hokit has beaten Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis since joining the UFC and memorably confronted Pereira at a White House press conference.

"Even in that selling, he'll [anger] people off, but he'll bring eyes to the event," Cormier continued. "Josh Hokit is the type of heavyweight contender that even if you show up to hate him, you'll still show up."

Gane has not yet responded publicly to Aspinall's vacation or potential opponents for his first title defense.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Daniel Cormier endorses Josh Holkit title shot after Tom Aspinall’s title vacation