Josh Hokit on Alex Pereira heavyweight move: 'Maybe he's scared'

Undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit has dismissed Alex Pereira's suggestion that his UFC career could be on the line this weekend.

Hokit faces Derrick Lewis on Sunday at UFC White House: Freedom 250, while Pereira challenges Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event. The matchup follows a week of verbal exchanges between Hokit and the former two-division champion, with Pereira telling reporters that the promotional newcomer might be fighting his last UFC bout depending on how things go against Lewis.

Hokit says new eight-fight deal proves Pereira wrong

Hokit told cameras during UFC Embedded that he recently signed an eight-fight contract with the promotion, directly contradicting Pereira's claim. "When you put on a fight like I put on last fight, I don't think I'm going anywhere," Hokit said, per Sherdog. "He's just talking just to talk. Maybe he's running away. Maybe he's scared, that's why he hopes that Dana kicks me out."

The 9-0 contender has stirred controversy throughout fight week with confrontational promos targeting Pereira, including a slur-laced jab at a press conference last month that he repeated during a hotel encounter. Pereira acknowledged finding the comments disrespectful but told media he plans to stay composed and avoid giving Hokit the reaction he wants.

Hokit fights Lewis while Pereira meets Gane on Sunday's card at the White House venue.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — UFC heavyweight contender on Alex Pereira: ‘He’s scared’