Josh Hokit says fighters avoiding character work are 'lazy'

Josh Hokit's all-out war with Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in April did more than earn him a spot at the upcoming White House card — it flipped Dana White from skeptic to believer.

The UFC president admitted at the post-fight press conference that Hokit's pre-fight persona was never his thing, but the heavyweight's performance changed his mind. "He walked the talk tonight," White said, per MMA Fighting. "You won't hear a word out of me from here on out about him."

Hokit questions why more fighters don't embrace characters

Ahead of his clash with Derrick Lewis at UFC White House, the 28-year-old explained his approach to fight promotion. "Would you rather me talk a normal big game, 'Oh, we're going to go to war,' normal answers, normal person, and then I could give you a bad fight?" Hokit told MMA Fighting. "So it's like, what's important here?"

Hokit, who has adopted multiple characters during his 3-0 UFC run — all three fights earning post-fight bonuses — thinks other fighters are missing an opportunity. "I think MMA fighters are getting too caught up in being the macho man or the stoicism, and the polite guy," he said. "I just think they're lazy and they don't want to put themselves out there and put things on the line."

The rising heavyweight faces Lewis, the promotion's all-time knockout leader, on the South Lawn. Lewis is coming off a stoppage loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324 in January.

Hokit knows his style divides opinion, but he is fine with that trade-off. "How about you guys just don't like me and just tune in though," he said.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Josh Hokit on turning Dana White after UFC 327 win, ‘lazy fighters’ not doing the same | MMA Fighting