Josh Hokit hints at impending UFC heavyweight title fight
Josh Hokit's recent interview with Ariel Helwani may have just shed some light on his standing in the UFC heavyweight title picture, and he may be closer to gold than some realize.
Josh Hokit is aiming to climb to the top of the UFC heavyweight division, and if his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show is to be believed, he may just fight for the division's title sooner rather than later. After all, he's already planning his next step and that includes two more fights before the year ends.
Josh Hokit is eyeing a UFC heavyweight title fight
As one of the most active fighters on the roster, Josh Hokit has already fought twice in 2026. He defeated Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision in a thrilling war at UFC 327, before making a relatively quick turnaround to TKO Derrick Lewis in round two at UFC Freedom 250. While he was previously gunning for a fight with the highly popular Alex Pereira, antagonizing him at every turn, Hokit also intends to fight two more times this year, saying the following when asked by Ariel Helwani (41:53):
"Yeah, I would say so. I might even fight two times by the end of the year. I think there's news on the horizon."
As the conversation with Helwani continued and he was asked directly if he would fight for the title in 2026, Hokit said the following (43:22):
"There's a great chance."
The heavyweight title picture is in a strange place. Ciryl Gane recently TKO'd Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 to capture the division's interim belt. Unfortunately, undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who fought Gane at UFC 321, is currently sidelined due to injury. His bout with Gane was ruled a no-contest after the latter's eye pokes rendered him unable to continue fighting. Despite 2026 already being halfway through, Aspinall has yet to provide a timeline for his MMA return, so Gane may have to do as Aspinall once did and defend his interim title.
Given Hokit's desire to reach championship status, and his recent criticism of Gane's controversial history of fouling his opponents, it's not completely beyond the realm of possibility to see a Hokit vs. Gane bout take place later this year. Gane, after all, took little to no damage in his bout with Pereira, and Hokit seems determined to stay active.
