NEWARK, N.J. – UFC press conferences can create the most unlikely rivalries when an entire card is up on stage with microphones in front of them.
That was once again the case Friday for the UFC Freedom 250 press conference as Ilia Topuria intercepted a verbal barrage hurled by Josh Hokit at Alex Pereira. As a result, Hokit was eventually dragged off stage by UFC security.
Hokit, who allegedly “sized up” Pereira at the host hotel earlier in the day, mockingly questioned the Brazilian’s language barrier.
“He speaks English,” Hokit said. “He says, ‘Chama, chama, chama.'”
That’s when Topuria interrupted, which got a rise out of Hokit.
“F*ck yous” were exchanged as security intervened. Even Pereira, who was initially the target, tried to cool the temperature off, all while Sean O’Malley comedically sat in the midst of the chaos, seemingly unbothered.
Hokit continued to riff into the microphone, and Topuria drilled him with an unidentified object that was on the table. At that point, security decided it was time to take Hokit off stage. Check out a full clip of the exchange below:
Did Josh Hokit just say he’s going to give Alex Pereira a “golden shower”? 😳 #UFCWhiteHousepic.twitter.com/FyOBwYSp18
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 8, 2026
UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House in Washington and is headlined by Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje. Alex Pereira moves to heavyweight and battles Ciryl Gane in the co-main event. The rest of the card includes Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy, Kyle Daukaus vs. Bo Nickal, Steve Garcia vs. Diego Lopes, and Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Josh Hokit dragged off UFC stage as Ilia Topuria defends Alex Pereira
