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.

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.

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