Josh Hokit: Alex Pereira's success built on favorable matchups

Undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit says Alex Pereira has never faced an elite wrestler and that the former two-division champion's success is the result of favorable matchmaking rather than dominance.

Hokit made the claim during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, as Sherdog first reported. The 10-0 prospect, who knocked out Derrick Lewis at UFC White House earlier this month, told Helwani he wants to prove Pereira's status as an all-time great is inflated.

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Hokit targets Pereira's wrestling gaps

"I don't think Pereira's career is what everyone says it is," Hokit said on the show. "The accolades, the belts, no one's done that. But I feel like all of his matchups have been favorable matchups. He hasn't faced anybody with my skill set or anyone with a wrestling pedigree… I want to prove that it's not real."

Pereira won the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in 2022 before moving to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight, where he claimed and defended the belt four times. He lost the title to Magomed Ankalaev, then reclaimed it with an 80-second knockout in the rematch. Pereira fell short in a heavyweight interim title fight against Ciryl Gane at the White House card.

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Hokit had tried to stir a feud with Pereira in the leadup to that event. He told Helwani that timing played a major role in the Brazilian's rise. "When you become a legend, a lot of it has to do with timing," Hokit said. "He did come into the sport at a really good time."

Hokit is expected to return later this year, though no opponent has been announced.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Josh Hokit: Alex Pereira’s MMA success due to favorable matchmaking