Josh Hokit adds Paulo Costa to his growing list of enemies with UFC 328 scuffle
Josh Hokit and Paulo Costa nearly came to blows during a cage-side confrontation at UFC 328. It was the latest addition to a list of conflicts the American's over-the-top, villainous persona has caused with other fighters.
Despite not competing on the card, Josh Hokit managed to draw some attention at UFC 328. He and light heavyweight star Paulo Costa found themselves in a verbal cage-side confrontation. Tensions ran high, and Hokit wasted no time in stirring the pot, flashing his middle finger at 'Borrachinha,' while shouting for him to leave the premises. While both men stood within inches from each other, security managed to intervene before they came to blows.
Things getting HEATED between Paulo Costa and Josh Hokit 😳 pic.twitter.com/1A1YkojkIf
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 10, 2026
Costa, for his part remained relatively calm in the face of Hokit's mockery. Their issues, however, did not begin at UFC 328. In fact, they started on the previous numbered card, UFC 327. 'Borrachinha' had TKO'd Azamat Murzakanov with a head kick in round three of the co-main event. Unfortunately, he was passed over for a Performance Bonus, which went to both Carlos Ulberg for knocking out Jiří Procházka for light heavyweight gold, and to Hokit for his gutsy war with Curtis Blaydes, which also earned him a Fight of the Night honor.
Costa took issue with it all, claiming that Hokit had stolen what was rightfully his, before threatening him. Naturally, Hokit responded with his patented trash talk, eventually leading to their UFC 328 confrontation this past Saturday.
Josh Hokit has butted heads with other UFC fighters
Even before UFC 328, Josh Hokit's antics had already earned him the ire of other UFC fighters. Just two days ago, the promotion held a press conference for its upcoming UFC Freedom 250 card. Hokit is part of the card and scheduled to face heavyweight fan-favorite Derrick Lewis. He tried to antagonize Lewis with trash talk during the press conference, but 'The Black Beast' wasn't as willing to engage. So, Hokit set his sights elsewhere and began to trash talk Alex Pereira, who faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-headliner.
This, though, infurriated Ilia Topuria, the event headliner and reigning UFC lightweight champion, who takes on Justin Gaethje, the interim lightweight champion. Topuria hit back at Hokit for his trash talk, sparking a back-and-forth that saw Hokit taunt Topuria over the latter's ex-wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell. The exchange grew so charged that Topuria threw an object at Hokit, striking him in the head before Hokit was escorted off stage by security.
Josh Hokit and Ilia Topuria GOING AT IT on stage 😳 pic.twitter.com/aBcvBlYW0o
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 8, 2026
Before even that, Hokit had also drawn criticism from two-time UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who felt that the unbeaten heavyweight's antics and pro-wrestling style persona were beneath him. Hokit, however, refuses to give credence to any of the criticism he's faced and is determined to become a star.
