White On Hokit's Antics Ahead Of UFC 334

Dana White has no plans to rein in Josh Hokit despite finding the heavyweight contender's public statements objectionable.

The UFC confirmed during its UFC 331 broadcast that Hokit will challenge Ciryl Gane for the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden, according to BJ Penn. The bout comes after Tom Aspinall vacated the championship.

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White's Hands-Off Approach To Fighter Comments

White previously criticized Hokit for remarks about former First Lady Michelle Obama following his UFC Freedom 250 win over Derrick Lewis. But speaking to reporters after UFC 331, the UFC president made clear he would not change his longstanding policy of letting athletes speak freely. "I don't police what people say," White said, per MMA Fighting. "I say it all the time—I don't have to like you for you to thrive here and you to do well and be successful."

White added that he dislikes nearly everything Hokit says but considers it a personal issue he must manage. The undefeated heavyweight earned his title shot with a unanimous decision over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 311 in April, a performance that earned Fight of the Night honors. His subsequent stoppage of Lewis cemented his position as the division's top contender.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 331 on Ticketmaster →

Hokit will look to capture heavyweight gold when he faces Gane in New York in under two months.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Dana White may not like Josh Hokit’s antics, but he won’t scold him amid UFC 334 title fight announcement: “I don’t police what people say”