New UFC White House star compared to Conor McGregor enters top five heavyweight rankings

Josh Hokit is on a rocketship to the White House following his victory at 327 this past weekend.

The 28-year-old from California bagged himself a fight at the UFC’s White House show in June after defeating Curtis Blaydes in a record-breaking heavyweight clash in Miami on Saturday.

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As well as that, ‘The Incredible Hok’ has now surged into the UFC heavyweight rankings and is just four spots below champion Tom Aspinall despite just three promotional fights.

Hokit made sure those outside of the hardcore MMA fanbase knew his name in the build-up to UFC 327.

He went viral several times, including for his many appearances cosplaying various characters, an altercation with Jiri Prochazka—who was knocked out by Carlos Ulberg in the main event—and dancing on stage at the ceremonial weigh-ins.

But, as Dustin Poirier explained on the UFC’s About Last Fight show, it’s all going very well for the new heavyweight star.

Hokit ‘walked the talk’ just like McGregor

“Listen, when stars start to align,” Poirier explained.

“You’ve seen it in Conor [McGregor], when you talk the talk and you walk the walk.

“You’ve seen it in ‘Suga’ Sean [O’Malley]. You’ve seen Chael Sonnen.

“We’ve seen it time and time again where guys talk the talk and then they walk the walk, and [Hokit] just did it this week. 

“He talked a big game and he went out there and put on one of the best heavyweight fights we’ve seen and got his hand raised. 

“Good things happen, you become a star.”

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Hokit and Blaydes broke the record for the most strikes thrown in a three-round heavyweight clash at UFC 327.

UFC CEO Dana White had his usual front row seat for the bout, alongside US President Donald Trump.

Trump’s love for heavyweight star Derrick Lewis and UFC commentator Joe Rogan‘s throwaway comment about adding Hokit to the White House card made the latter’s addition a reality.

“President Trump built one half of that fight, and Rogan built the other half,” White explained live on his Instagram during UFC 327.

“Both guys have accepted and agreed to the fight, so we’re adding one more to the White House.”

Lewis vs Hokit makes the UFC White House show, billed as UFC Freedom 250, seven fights in total.

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UFC Schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.

Ilia Topuria faces Justin Gaethje in a lightweight unification fight in the main event.

Meanwhile, Alex Pereira moves up to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for the division’s interim title in the co-main event.