White Admits Booking Hokit Against Tougher Opponents

Dana White said he steered Josh Hokit toward harder fights because the heavyweight's post-fight interviews bothered him.

Hokit challenges Ciryl Gane for the undisputed belt next Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The unbeaten contender secured the opportunity by stopping Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis in his first four promotional appearances.

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Promotional Punishment That Failed

White told The Jim Rome Show his personal reaction shaped the matchmaking. "I didn't like some of the things he said, so I might've thrown some tough guys at him," White said, according to MMA Mania. The strategy backfired — Hokit cleared every hurdle.

The promotion paired him with Blaydes, then ranked fifth in the division, at UFC 327. Hokit won a three-round decision in a fight that earned him double bonuses for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night.

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White's displeasure started after Hokit knocked out Denzel Freeman at UFC 324 and cut a wrestling-style promo featuring crude language and a jab at Brittney Griner. The CEO briefly softened his stance following the Blaydes win, praising Hokit for backing up his talk. That détente ended after Hokit stopped Lewis at UFC Freedom 250 and used the microphone to insult Michelle Obama.

White said he opposes fighters spreading false information about families. Despite handing Hokit the title shot, the CEO has not hidden his feelings — he told reporters he dislikes everything the contender says. Hokit went from Contender Series fighter to championship contender in barely a year. UFC 334 takes place November 14 in New York.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dana White admits to giving Josh Hokit ‘tough guys’ because he ‘didn’t like some of the things he said’