"Hats Off to the Guy": Stephen Thompson Shows Respect to Heavyweight Prospect Josh Hokit
Stephen Thompson is very impressed with Josh Hokit's rise in the UFC and is happy to share a card with him at UFC 334
When UFC 334 lands at Madison Square Garden this November, the card will feature a fascinating blend of combat sports generations. Former two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson is gearing up for his retirement fight against Charles Radtke, but the 43-year-old striker took time to shed light on another fighter making noise on the fight card: undefeated heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit.
Hokit, who holds a perfect 10-0-0 professional record with six knockouts, locked in a massive matchup against former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane for the New York event. Watching a young contender climb the ladder so quickly struck a chord with Thompson, who has spent over a decade competing against elite competition inside the Octagon.
A Tale of Two Eras at MSG
"Hats off to the guy," Thompson said while discussing Hokit’s rise. "To be on the same card is epic because you watch these young guys come up and make a name for themselves; you gotta smile at that."
The praise carries real weight coming from a fan favorite like "Wonderboy." Thompson holds a 17-9-1 career record, including eight knockout victories and memorable battle-tested runs against the division's best. As he prepares to lay down his gloves against Radtke, who enters with a 12-5 record, Thompson appreciates the cyclical nature of the sport.
Hokit’s rapid ascent has captured plenty of attention since transitioning from collegiate wrestling and a brief stint in the NFL. Scoring dominant finishes since making his promotional debut, the 28-year-old now gets his biggest test to date on one of the year’s most anticipated cards.
For Thompson, seeing the next wave of athletes shine under the bright lights at MSG adds a special layer to his final walk to the cage. Rather than focusing solely on his own sendoff, the veteran is eager to witness the future of the heavyweight division unfold alongside his own swansong.
