Josh Hokit has become one of the most talked-about names of UFC 327's fight week, although not precisely because of his athletic performance. The American heavyweight has starred in several controversial moments during the media events prior to the show that have generated a strong reaction among fans, fighters and journalists.
Hokit, a former college football player at Fresno State before dedicating himself to mixed martial arts, maintains an undefeated record in MMA and faces one of the most important fights of his career against Curtis Blaydes. However, during the week of the event he has attracted more attention for the provocative character he is trying to build than for the fight itself.
One of the most talked about moments occurred during the media day when the American starred in a verbal altercation with Jiri Prochazka backstage. Hokit began to provoke him directly by yelling, "Hey samurai, look at me when I talk to you. You're not a warrior, you're an actor." The situation became tense when he added, "If you pass me in the cage I'll cut you to pieces." Prochazka reacted calmly and asked to keep his distance while the event staff intervened to separate the two.
During the press conference afterwards, Hokit continued his provocative attitude and tried to reinforce the character he is building. At one point in his speech he said, "The UFC needed a villain and here I am. I'm the guy who's going to break all these false heroes." He also assured: "I didn't come here to be nice, I came to make noise and destroy careers.
The American also drew criticism after a controversial gesture during the ceremonial weigh-in, when he mockingly imitated people with autism in front of the cameras. The gesture was heavily criticized by fans on social media and by several journalists present at the event, who called it unnecessary and offensive.
Meanwhile, his opponent on the card, Curtis Blaydes, has chosen to completely ignore Hokit's media spectacle. The veteran heavyweight has made it clear that he does not intend to enter the game of taunts and that his only goal is to resolve the matter inside the octagon.
With his fight scheduled for UFC 327, it remains to be seen if all the media noise generated by Hokit will translate into a convincing performance inside the cage. For now, the American has managed to become one of the most controversial characters of the fight week.