CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Dana White to have tried to lower Josh Hockey. Instead, he fast-tracked him to a UFC title shot.
Hokit challenges the undisputed heavyweight champion Cyril Gane in the year UFC 334 main event next weekend (Saturday, November 14, 2026) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The undefeated challenger earned the opportunity after winning his first four UFC fights, including a win over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.
During a recent performance Jim Rome Showadmitted White that Hokit’s controversial personality may have influenced the promotion’s decision to give him tough matches.
“Hockey (vs. Gane) was a battle,” White said. “Hockey’s been overlooked all the time – not just by the fans and the media, but by me. I didn’t like some of the things he said, so I might have thrown some tough guys at him and he passed all the tests.
“So, here he is,” continued White. “Like him or hate him, he’s fought his way to the top and there’s no denying that this guy deserves this title shot.”
White’s dislike of Hokit began with the heavyweight’s staged post-fight interviews.
After being knocked out Denzel Freeman At UFC 324, Hokit gave a lengthy pro-wrestling-inspired speech that included an offensive line and a disparaging remark about the WNBA star. Brittney Grinner. White said he didn’t watch the interview live but heard about it later.
Hokit’s performance against the Blaydes appeared to briefly change White’s mind. The UFC CEO admitted that he still didn’t like the candidate’s so-called
This truce did not last long.
After stopping Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250used Hockey in his post-fight interview to call out the former first lady Michelle Obama man. White responded by saying he was against the fighters, saying, “nasty and wrong things” about people’s families and that he “hated that kind of shit”.
When Hokit’s title shot was announced, White made his feelings even clearer.
White may not enjoy listening to Hokit, but he can no longer deny what the undefeated heavyweight has accomplished. Hockey went Contender series prospect as a UFC title challenger in just over a year — and every “tough guy” sent his way only brought him closer to the belt.
The rest of the UFC 334 fight card and Paramount+ lineup click here.