Josh Hokit explains why UFC must move on from Tom Aspinall, Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane should be for undisputed title

Josh Hokit has chimed in with his assessment of the title picture in the 265-pound division's landscape. "The Incredible Hok" has suggested that the UFC ought to strip reigning heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall of the title. 

Additionally, the American fighter indicated that the upcoming interim UFC heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane should be for the vacant UFC heavyweight title.

Hokit thereby reaffirmed that the UFC must move on from Aspinall and let Pereira or Gane fight for the vacant undisputed heavyweight title. 

Josh Hokit is eyeing a fight against Alex Pereira after UFC Freedom 250

Presently, Josh Hokit is scheduled to take on veteran fighter and knockout artist, Derrick Lewis. They'll clash in a much-awaited non-title heavyweight bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. 

Moreover, the card will be co-headlined by former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who'll be making his heavyweight divisional debut against ex-interim UFC heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane. 

Well, UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall last fought in October of 2025, sustaining gruesome eye injuries in his title defense against Gane that ended in an NC (No Contest). Aspinall subsequently asserted that the injuries necessitated eye surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. 

For his part, Hokit has lately called out Pereira multiple times. During a recent interview with MMA fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen for UFC on Paramount, Hokit emphasized that he feels Pereira would beat Gane and he'd fight Pereira next. 

Josh Hokit feels the UFC should strip Tom Aspinall, make Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane a heavyweight title match

Speaking to Josh Hokit, Chael Sonnen pointed out that the former is currently a part of the UFC heavyweight roster.

Sonnen asked, as a part of the locker room, what Hokit has heard about Tom Aspinall, whether Aspinall is going to return, and if the interim title fight should be for the undisputed title if Aspinall is stripped of his title. 

Hokit responded by stating, "Yeah. I mean, to get the division moving again, Pereira and Gane should be for the heavyweight championship. And then I'll fight him next after I beat Derrick Lewis. I mean, that just makes things a lot easier." 

"You've got a guy that -- claiming that he's blind now. And then saying that he can't practice. He can't even drive. And then all of a sudden, he's saying he's gonna come back. It's like, just choose one or the other at this point. Yeah. I think the division's being held up with his theatrics or whatever he's doing, his tactics." 

 

Watch Josh Hokit discuss Tom Aspinall and the UFC heavyweight title as well as the interim title situation below (*comments at the 5:25-minute mark of the video):