UFC President Dana White has acknowledged that he deliberately matched heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit against difficult opponents because he disapproved of comments Hokit made, White revealed in a recent interview.
Hokit, who secured a victory over former title challenger Derrick Lewis at the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn on June 14, 2026, has been a subject of White's matchmaking decisions. According to White, the matchmaking was influenced by personal feelings rather than purely sporting considerations.
The admission came during a media session reported by SB Nation's Alexander Behunin on November 5, 2026. White stated he "didn't like some of the things he said" regarding Hokit, leading to the tougher matchups.
Hokit's win over Lewis marked a significant moment in his career, but the revelation raises questions about the influence of personal bias in UFC matchmaking.
