Josh Hokit Wants UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall to be ‘Cut’ for Stalling Division

Polarizing contender Josh Hokit once again attacks Tom Aspinall and calls for the champion to be removed due to inactivity.

Josh Hokit Wants UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall to be ‘Cut’ for Stalling Division

Josh Hokit asks for Tom Aspinall to be stripped off title (via X)

Josh Hokit has made a huge impact on the UFC heavyweight division after years of turbulence. His personality and controversies have kept him and the division in the public eye. Now, Hokit has again taken shots at UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who remains sidelined recovering from an eye injury.

Aspinall suffered a double eye poke from Ciryl Gane during their UFC 321 heavyweight title fight. He was later diagnosed with traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome and persistent double vision. The British heavyweight champion subsequently underwent surgery on both eyes while continuing his recovery from the injury.

Hokit has continued rising through the heavyweight division, recently knocking out Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250. Before that, he defeated Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327. With Aspinall sidelined for months, Hokit has now called for his removal. The undefeated contender wants the UFC to book him against Gane, who holds the interim belt.

@ufc Tom gets an eye poke, gets butt hurt none of us bought it, then hires Dana’s enemy Eddie Hearn so he could become a boxing bargaining chip in Eddie’s beef with Dana. Then Eddie hits Ariel’s anti-Dana propaganda show multiple times to drive the dagger deeper? GTFOH. Strip that holdout or cut him. I’m 10-0 & #4 in the world. Give me @ciryl_gane in ’26 & I’ll break Merab’s defense record in ’27.

Josh Hokit via X

Interestingly, Hokit also referenced Aspinall’s recent deal with British promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency during his criticism of the champion. The agreement focuses on Aspinall’s career outside the Octagon. The signing is notable given the ongoing rivalry between UFC CEO Dana White and the Matchroom chairman.

This is not Hokit’s only recent attack on Aspinall, as the polarizing heavyweight contender has repeatedly questioned his image. Hokit downplayed Aspinall’s adoption of a bad-guy persona after the eye-poke controversy turned fans against him. The criticism adds another layer to their rivalry as Aspinall remains sidelined.

Hokit has also vowed to defeat Aspinall, highlighting the physical and athletic advantages he believes he has. The athlete he references is himself, reflecting his background as a former Fresno State football player. Hokit also competed in wrestling before transitioning to MMA, giving him experience across multiple sports.

Aspinall’s surgeries were successful, and the champion has returned to training as he prepares for his Octagon comeback. He has indicated he could return at the UFC’s Paris event in September, where ‘Bon Gamin’ could await him. Aspinall has also accepted the possibility of facing the interim champion there.

However, while Josh Hokit has targeted Tom Aspinall, his main target for months has undoubtedly remained former two-division champion Alex Pereira, who lost his heavyweight debut to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250. It remains to be seen what comes next for “The Incredible Hok,” as the UFC will likely make Aspinall vs. Gane 2 next.

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Josh Hokit remains unfiltered in his criticism of Alex Pereira

Josh Hokit repeatedly targeted Alex Pereira during the buildup to UFC Freedom 250, making the former champion a central focus of his attacks. Hokit mocked Pereira’s career and questioned his standing in the heavyweight division. Their tension escalated further during fight-week exchanges, with Hokit repeatedly provoking ‘Poatan’.

Hokit has continued pursuing Pereira since UFC Freedom 250, keeping the former champion firmly in his sights. The heavyweight contender has since called Pereira overrated while questioning the strength of his UFC career. Hokit’s continued pursuit shows Pereira remains his preferred target despite the Brazilian’s recent loss.

Josh Hokit
Josh Hokit (via Yahoo Sports)

Hokit has recently pushed for a BMF title fight against Pereira after repeatedly targeting the Brazilian phenom. The contender has argued that their matchup would give the BMF title a major heavyweight attraction. ‘The Incredible Hok’ has now escalated his pursuit, calling for Pereira to regain his aura before their potential fight.

If it’s me & Alex next then lets make it a BMF title and I’ll end Alex whenever you want to schedule it…But lets get some of Alex’s aura back first? Let’s build that fight. Lets let Alex get use to the weight class and create maximum amount of intrigue in our fight. I want to chama on his mamma sooo bad! But let me beat the guy that he can’t first and then he will get his title shot again right after.

Josh Hokit via X

In a separate post, Hokit also claimed 38-year-old Alex Pereira will not fight for the heavyweight title again. He then targeted Pereira’s coach, Glover Teixeira, calling him “dumb” for labeling Hokit a winnable fight. Josh Hokit’s latest comments further underline his continued pursuit of ‘Poatan’ and his desire to settle their rivalry.

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