Josh Hokit

Josh Hokit isn't your average athlete; he's a true multi-sport phenomenon who has excelled at the highest levels of American football, collegiate wrestling, and now, professional mixed martial arts. His journey from an undrafted NFL hopeful to an undefeated MMA fighter is a testament to his relentless drive and incredible adaptability. Join us as we explore the remarkable career of this versatile competitor. Josh Hokit was a standout dual-sport athlete in high school and college, achieving All-America honors in wrestling while also playing significant roles in college football. Despite a promising college football career, including a stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Hokit ultimately transitioned his elite athleticism to mixed martial arts. Hokit has made a dominant start to his professional MMA career, leveraging his wrestling background into a formidable grappling offense, remaining undefeated.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Josh Hokit isn't your average athlete; he's a true multi-sport phenomenon who has excelled at the highest levels of American football, collegiate wrestling, and now, professional mixed martial arts. His journey from an undrafted NFL hopeful to an undefeated MMA fighter is a testament to his relentless drive and incredible adaptability. Join us as we explore the remarkable career of this versatile competitor.

Josh Hokit's Extraordinary Path

Born on November 12, 1997, in Bakersfield, California, Josh Hokit's athletic story began early. He quickly distinguished himself as a young talent, destined for big stages in multiple sports. But it was his unique ability to master diverse disciplines that truly set him apart, leading him down an unconventional, yet fascinating, career path.

High School Dynamo

Growing up in Wasco and then Clovis, California, Hokit wasn't just good at sports—he dominated them. At Clovis High School, he was a dual-threat terror, excelling in both wrestling and football. By his senior year, he was ranked the third-best wrestler in the entire nation, showcasing incredible skill on the mat.

His football prowess was equally impressive; as a linebacker, he recorded an astounding 125 tackles, and on offense, he rushed for 820 yards and eight touchdowns. Initially, Hokit accepted a wrestling scholarship to Drexel University, but a crucial detail changed his trajectory—Drexel didn't have a football team, and Josh wasn't ready to give up the gridiron.

Bulldog Beginnings

This desire to play both sports led him to walk on at Fresno State University, where he quickly proved his worth. As a freshman, he played in all 12 football games, demonstrating incredible versatility across linebacker, fullback, running back, and special teams positions. His standout performance included a 97-yard rushing effort against Hawaii.

His sophomore year was even more impactful, with Hokit appearing in all 14 games and starting four. He amassed 583 rushing yards, scored seven touchdowns—ranking him ninth in the Mountain West Conference—and even surprised everyone by throwing a 65-yard touchdown pass. After the football season, he seamlessly transitioned back to wrestling, securing a fifth-place finish at the Big 12 championships.

By his junior year in 2018, Hokit continued his dual-sport excellence. On the football field, he contributed 260 rushing yards and a touchdown, alongside eight receptions. But it was on the wrestling mat where he truly shone, leading his team with 27 wins and becoming Fresno State's first All-America selection in wrestling since 2003—a remarkable achievement for a two-sport collegiate athlete.

His senior year echoed this pattern of exceptional performance. As a team captain for the final four games, he contributed 287 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, plus 97 receiving yards and another score. In wrestling, he again earned All-America honors, being named a second-team selection by the NWCA, leading Fresno with 24 wins. Balancing the rigorous demands of two high-level college sports is a rare feat, showcasing Hokit's extraordinary athletic discipline.

Stepping into the Pros

After an impressive college career, Josh Hokit took his talents to the professional football stage. Although he went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, his talent didn't go unnoticed. The San Francisco 49ers quickly signed him as a free agent, eager to see if his college versatility could translate to the NFL.

The Practice Squad Grind

Hokit's NFL journey saw him navigate the challenging waters of the practice squad. He was waived during final roster cuts but re-signed the very next day, a common path for undrafted players fighting for a spot. His time with the 49ers included stints on the COVID-19 reserve list and signing future contracts, reflecting the constant hustle required to make it in the league.

Ultimately, after two seasons of perseverance with the 49ers, Hokit sought new opportunities. He briefly signed with the Arizona Cardinals in August 2022, but was waived just five days later, signaling the end of his NFL chapter. This crossroads, however, would lead him to an entirely new, electrifying arena.

From Gridiron to Octagon

In a bold career pivot, Josh Hokit announced on March 1, 2023, that he had signed with Bellator MMA to begin his professional mixed martial arts career. This transition made perfect sense; his elite wrestling background, combined with the raw power and athleticism honed on the football field, provided a formidable foundation for the cage.

Bellator Debut

Hokit wasted no time making an impact, debuting against Spencer Smith at Bellator 300 on October 7, 2023. Showcasing his superior grappling, he secured a victory via an arm-triangle submission in the third round—a dominant start to his new calling in the heavyweight division. It was clear his wrestling pedigree was a game-changer.

His second professional bout, against Sean Rose at Bellator Champions Series 4 on September 7, 2024, reinforced his submission prowess. Hokit once again demonstrated his control and finishing ability, winning by an armbar submission in the second round. These early wins highlighted his potential as a serious contender in the heavyweight ranks, proving his versatility across demanding sports.

Unbeaten in the Cage

Josh Hokit continues his impressive run in mixed martial arts, consistently demonstrating his powerful wrestling and submission skills. With each fight, he further solidifies his reputation as an undefeated force in the cage, a testament to his extraordinary athletic journey and relentless drive.

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	5–0	Eric Lunsford	TKO (punches)	LFA 208	May 9, 2025	1	2:00	Santa Cruz, California, United States	Catchweight (269.6 lb) bout; Lunsford missed weight.
Win	4–0	Ezekiel Latu	Submission (rear-naked choke)	LFA 203	March 6, 2025	1	0:42	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	
Win	3–0	John Lopez	TKO (punches)	LFA 199	January 10, 2025	1	2:53	Lemoore, California, United States	
Win	2–0	Sean Rose	Submission (armbar)	Bellator Champions Series 4	September 7, 2024	2	4:58	San Diego, California, United States	
Win	1–0	Spencer Smith	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	Bellator 300	October 7, 2023	3	3:48	San Diego, California, United States	Heavyweight debut.

Article

Josh Hokit

Joshua Seth Hokit ( HOH-kit; born November 12, 1997) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He formerly competed in Bellator MMA. As of July 25, 2026, he is #6 in the Meta UFC heavyweight rankings.

Prior to competing in MMA, Hokit was an All-American wrestler, and played American football as a tight end and fullback in college football, at Fresno State. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in (/wiki/2020NFLseason).

Early life and education

Josh Hokit

Hokit was born on November 12, 1997, in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in Wasco before moving to Clovis. He attended Clovis High School, and participated in wrestling and football. As a senior in wrestling, he peaked at number three in the nation. He originally accepted a wrestling scholarship to Drexel University, but changed his mind when he learned they did not have a football team.

Athletic career

College

Hokit walked-on at Fresno State University where he competed in football and wrestling. As a freshman on the football team, he was used as a linebacker, fullback, running back, and on special teams; he was mainly used on offense in subsequent seasons. He was Fresno State's second-leading rusher with 583 yards and also placed ninth in the Mountain West Conference with seven rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. After the football season ended, Hokit returned to wrestling, placing fifth in the Big 12 Conference championships. In his junior year, he led the wrestling team with 27 wins, becoming their first All-American selection since Mario Botelho in 2003. In 2019, as a senior on the football team, Hokit ran for 287 yards and nine touchdowns, second on the team, and served as captain for the final four games of the year. He also finished his senior wrestling season as a second-team NWCA All-American after leading Fresno with 24 wins. In his college football career, Hokit totaled 1,260 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

San Francisco 49ers

After going unselected in the 2020 NFL draft, Hokit was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at the final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list on December 23, and activated on December 28. Hokit was signed to a futures contract on January 4, 2021. He was waived at the 2021 final roster cuts, but re-signed to the practice squad the next day.

He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on January 11, 2022. He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on February 2. Hokit was waived on August 15.

Arizona Cardinals

On August 18, 2022, Hokit signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but was waived five days later.

Mixed martial arts career

Bellator MMA

On March 1, 2023, it was announced that Hokit had signed with Bellator MMA to start his MMA career.

Hokit made his debut against Spencer Smith on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300. He won the fight via an arm-triangle submission in the third round.

For his second professional bout, Hokit faced Sean Rose on September 7, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 4. He won the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After winning three fights under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner, Hokit was booked to fight on season 9 of Dana White's Contender Series on August 19, 2025. He faced Guilherme Uriel and won the fight via TKO in the second round, subsequently receiving a UFC contract from Dana White.

Hokit faced promotional newcomer Max Gimenis on November 8, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 264. He won the fight by technical knockout early in the first round. This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

Hokit faced Denzel Freeman on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324. He won the fight via technical knockout due to retirement in the round one. This fight earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.

Hokit faced Curtis Blaydes on April 11, 2026 at UFC 327. Hokit earned a unanimous decision victory in a bout that was widely cited by media outlets as a Fight of the Year contender. This fight earned him two $100,000 bonuses for Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night, totaling $200,000. Hokit set a UFC record with Curtis Blaydes for most combined significant strikes in a UFC heavyweight bout, landing 177 of the 351 total.

Hokit during the UFC Freedom 250 event

Following his bout and on the night of UFC 327, it was announced that Hokit was scheduled to face Derrick Lewis on June 14, 2026 at UFC Freedom 250. Hokit won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.

Hokit is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the UFC Heavyweight Championship on November 14, 2026 at UFC 334.

Press conference and interview controversies

Josh Hokit

Hokit has a history of controversial remarks during post-fight interviews, dating back to his tenure in Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). Following wins in LFA, Hokit made several controversial remarks, including labeling former first lady Michelle Obama "a man" and criticizing the participation of transgender women in sports, stating that they "belong" in the Octagon with him "because you need to get your ass whooped."

This pattern continued following his TKO victory at UFC 324—the first UFC event to be streamed live on Paramount+—where Hokit responded to the idea of "losing in a fist fight" by stating, "N-word [sic], please." During the same interview, he called out Waldo Cortes-Acosta, labeling him a "deadbeat father not to one kid, but to nine," and concluded by stating, "And P.S., Brittney Griner is a man."

The UFC 324 remarks drew laughter and cheers from the live crowd; post-fight interviewer Joe Rogan responded while laughing, "Brittney Griner catching strays. She doesn't deserve that." However, the interview was widely criticized by media outlets, and Dana White, CEO of the UFC, later expressed disapproval, stating, "I heard about it. I didn’t see it. I don’t love it." A video of the interview was subsequently deleted from the official UFC Asia social media account on X.

At the UFC Freedom 250 press conference, Hokit interrupted the event in a "bizarre appearance" and "pretended to be subdued" in an attempt to get attention from the media.

In a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan following Hokit's win at UFC Freedom 250, the latter commented, "Now listen, Alex Pereira, I'm going to chama on your mama, and lastly, Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?" White later condemned the remarks as “fucking gross”, “moronic”, and “inappropriate”.

Championships and accomplishments

Josh Hokit

• Ultimate Fighting Championship • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Curtis Blaydes • Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Max Gimenis, Denzel Freeman and Curtis Blaydes • UFC heavyweight bout records • Most significant strikes landed in a three-round heavyweight bout (177) (vs. Curtis Blaydes) • Second most significant strikes landed in any heavyweight bout (177) (vs. Curtis Blaydes) • Most significant head strikes landed (164) (vs. Curtis Blaydes) • Fourth most significant strikes attempted (293) (vs. Curtis Blaydes) • Fourth most distance strikes landed (146) (vs. Curtis Blaydes)

Mixed martial arts record

Josh Hokit

<table><thead><tr><th>Res.</th><th>Record</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Method</th><th>Event</th><th>Date</th><th>Round</th><th>Time</th><th>Location</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Win</td><td>10–0</td><td>Derrick Lewis</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>UFC Freedom 250</td><td>June 14, 2026</td><td>2</td><td>4:09</td><td>Washington, D.C., United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>9–0</td><td>Curtis Blaydes</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC 327</td><td>April 11, 2026</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Miami, Florida, United States</td><td>Performance of the Night. Fight of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>8–0</td><td>Denzel Freeman</td><td>TKO (retirement)</td><td>UFC 324</td><td>January 24, 2026</td><td>1</td><td>4:59</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td>Performance of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>7–0</td><td>Max Gimenis</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown</td><td>November 8, 2025</td><td>1</td><td>0:56</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td>Performance of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>6–0</td><td>Guilherme Uriel</td><td>TKO (elbows)</td><td>Dana White's Contender Series 78</td><td>August 19, 2025</td><td>2</td><td>1:06</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>5–0</td><td>Eric Lunsford</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>LFA 208</td><td>May 9, 2025</td><td>1</td><td>2:00</td><td>Santa Cruz, California, United States</td><td>Catchweight (269.6 lb) bout; Lunsford missed weight.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>4–0</td><td>Ezekiel Latu</td><td>Submission (rear-naked choke)</td><td>LFA 203</td><td>March 6, 2025</td><td>1</td><td>0:42</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>3–0</td><td>John Lopez</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>LFA 199</td><td>January 10, 2025</td><td>1</td><td>2:53</td><td>Lemoore, California, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>2–0</td><td>Sean Rose</td><td>Submission (armbar)</td><td>Bellator Champions Series 4</td><td>September 7, 2024</td><td>1</td><td>4:58</td><td>San Diego, California, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>1–0</td><td>Spencer Smith</td><td>Submission (arm-triangle choke)</td><td>Bellator 300</td><td>October 7, 2023</td><td>3</td><td>3:48</td><td>San Diego, California, United States</td><td>Heavyweight debut.</td></tr></tbody></table>