Ahead of Sunday’s remarkable UFC White House fight event, Josh Hokit stole the show at the Saturday morning weigh-in, having done the same at Friday’s press conference.
On Friday evening, all 14 fighters from the seven bouts shared a stage in front of the Lincoln Memorial, trading barbs with their rivals but with Hokit chiming in at every opportunity – regardless of who had been asked a question.
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And on Saturday morning, as the fighters weighed in before a crowd of media personnel, Hokit seemingly pretended to throw up, as he dribbled a sick-coloured liquid from his mouth.
Heavyweight Josh Hokit on the scales before UFC Freedom 250 (Reuters)
“So what? Maybe I was drinking last night,” the American heavyweight told those in the room. “Who wouldn’t be?
“I’ve got a giant man who wants to knock me out. He has the most knockouts in UFC history,” Hokit added, referencing his opponent Derrick Lewis.
Hokit, 28, also appeared to be on unsteady legs as he walked into the room, took to the scale, and exited. However, this also seemed to be part of his act.
Hokit has made a name for himself in recent months by playing different characters. At Friday’s press conference, he continually referenced “The Incredible Hoke”, while he spoke nervously about all of the fighters at the event.
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Hokit, who weighed in at 231lb on Saturday morning, will join his fellow athletes in performing a ceremonial weigh-in on Saturday evening, at the Ellipse park near the White House. That gives each fighter one final chance to face off with their opponent before Sunday’s unprecedented fight card on the South Lawn.
Hokit vs Lewis was added to UFC Freedom 250 at the request of Donald Trump, after the US President watched from cageside in April as Hokit won an instant classic with Curtis Blaydes.
Derrick Lewis facing off with Hokit at Friday’s press conference (Getty)
By the end of the night, UFC president Dana White – a close friend of Trump – had paired Hokit with fellow American Lewis, who is Trump’s favourite fighter.
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Lewis, 41, tipped the scales at 265lb on Saturday morning. The veteran is the betting underdog for his contest with Hokit.
On Friday, Hokit’s behaviour culminated in him referencing the recent divorce of main-event fighter Ilia Topuria, and White immediately ended the press conference after that insult.
At a launch press conference for UFC Freedom 250 in May, Hokit had insulted Topuria – as well as co-main-event fighter Alex Pereira – and was escorted off stage by security.
