Rising Sensation Josh Hokit Reveals DM from Paulo Costa Over $100K Performance Bonus Dispute

UFC heavyweight star Josh Hokit hilariously trades barbs with Paulo Costa who wants his $100k bonus at no cost.

Rising Sensation Josh Hokit Reveals DM from Paulo Costa Over $100K Performance Bonus Dispute

Josh Hokit reveals Paulo Costa DMs (via UFC, X)

In Short
  • Josh Hokit gained popularity in the UFC heavyweight division after a standout performance and humorous antics at UFC 327.
  • Paulo Costa jokingly demanded a $100k performance bonus from Hokit following their exchange on social media.
  • Hokit is set to fight Derrick Lewis at the UFC White House event, marking a significant step up in competition.

Josh Hokit has rapidly become a notable name in the UFC heavyweight division after gaining attention for his humorous personality at the UFC 327 press conference, which boosted his profile among fans and media. He carried that momentum into his win over Curtis Blaydes, where his confidence stood out. The same personality also showed in his recent exchange with light heavyweight contender Paulo Costa.

Hokit stood out during media week, quickly becoming one of the event’s most talked-about names. At the fighters’ hotel, he called out Jiri Prochazka and even challenged him to a humorous “lightsaber duel,” turning heads in the lobby. He then brought that same chaotic energy to the press conference, delivering unfiltered rants. Hokit also kept provoking Blaydes on fight night by repeatedly flipping him off.

While the American fighter’s personality boosted his popularity, his performance against Blaydes also pushed him into the title conversation. He pieced up one of the division’s most experienced heavyweights with sharp striking and composure, earning both Fight of the Night and a Performance bonus. Costa then jokingly sent Hokit his PayPal QR code, demanding $100k, prompting a hilarious response from Hokit.

Stupid Brazilian.

Josh Hokit via X

Costa also impressed in the UFC 327 co-main event, knocking out formerly undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov in a statement finish. Many expected him to earn a Performance of the Night bonus for the win, given the scale of the upset. However, the award went to Hokit instead, prompting Costa to call out Dana White and Hunter Campbell, jokingly demanding a bonus after feeling overlooked.

Hokit’s personality and trash talk have drawn strong praise from UFC veterans, including Kamaru Usman, who suggested he could bring new life to the heavyweight division with his confidence, presence, and unpredictable energy. Dustin Poirier also noted that if Hokit maintains his current trajectory, he has all the makings of a future superstar in the sport, capable of becoming one of the UFC’s biggest draws.

Paulo Costa has now started building a strong presence in the 205-pound division and will look to carry that winning momentum forward in his next outing. However, attention is already shifting back to Josh Hokit, who has his third fight of 2026 set for the UFC White House event against Derrick Lewis. It marks a major step up, as Lewis brings experience, knockout power, and long-standing presence at the top level.

Josh Hokit gets praised by former UFC bantamweight champion

The UFC has been missing a true standout superstar who can consistently command attention and polarize fans in a way that boosts marketability. The last real example was Sean O’Malley’s rise and brief reign as bantamweight champion, when his flashy style and personality made him one of the promotion’s biggest attractions. However, that momentum faded after his title losses to Merab Dvalishvili.

Josh Hokit
Josh Hokit (via X)

However, many believe Josh Hokit is following the same blueprint, rapidly emerging as one of the most talked-about names in the UFC. The former Bellator fighter has quickly gained attention and even secured a spot on the UFC White House event card in a remarkably short span of time. O’Malley, who himself is set to take on Aiemann Zahabi at the event, recently also weighed in on Hokit’s rise.

I had no idea who Josh Hokit was, and now he’s fighting at the White House! I’m looking on YouTube… and I see this guy with a fing American headband, and I’m seeing stuff, and he’s going crazy at the press conference… I was entertained, but almost kind of second-hand embarrassment. Who is he? He’s 30 pounds under Curtis Blaydes… and now he’s fighting on the White House.

Sean O’Malley via his YouTube channel

If both fighters lose on June 14th, it could significantly impact their trajectories moving forward. For Sean O’Malley, another defeat would likely end his path back to title contention and even raise retirement questions, given how stacked the division has become at the elite level. For Josh Hokit, a loss wouldn’t end his rise, but it would test whether he can rebuild momentum on personality alone.

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