Josh Hokit takes aim at Tom Aspinall after British UFC icon Michael Bisping's eye poke remarks

Josh Hokit has addressed a few recent remarks made by UK mixed martial arts icon and UFC Hall of Famer, Michael "The Count" Bisping, segueing from them to cast aspersions on Bisping's fellow Englishman Tom Aspinall. 

Heavyweight MMA stars Josh Hokit, Tom Aspinall, and Ciryl Gane's rollercoaster ride in recent months

Manchester's Tom Aspinall was promoted to the status of the UFC heavyweight champion in June of last year. That was after a lengthy stint as the interim UFC heavyweight champion during the failed title unification negotiations against then-UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

With "Bones" expressing disinterest in fighting him and announcing his retirement last year, many called for Aspinall to defend his belt against a top contender for the division to progress from that saga. He did, in fact, face an elite challenger in the form of the then-one-time interim UFC heavyweight titlist Ciryl Gane. 

Nevertheless, their clash at UFC 321 last October saw Aspinall get eye-poked by the Frenchman, incapacitating him and causing the fight to end in an NC (No Contest). The Briton retained his heavyweight belt, but he had to undergo multiple eye surgeries that have kept him out of action ever since. That said, he recently hinted that he's cleared to train and wants to fight again. 

Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane became a two-time interim UFC heavyweight champion in his next fight, TKO'ing ex-two-division UFC champ Alex Pereira in his heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Also, Josh Hokit cemented himself as a top contender with a unanimous decision win over Curtis Blaydes earlier this year and, in his latest Octagon outing, a TKO win over knockout king Derrick Lewis. 

UFC legend Michael Bisping's eye-poke-related remarks

It's well known that Michael Bisping suffered a gruesome injury to his right eye, due to a head kick from Vitor Belfort in their middleweight clash in the UFC back in January of 2013. The TKO loss, be that as it may, left a far more insidious impact on Bisping -- who continued competing and eventually became legally blind in his right eye, albeit he still managed to win the UFC middleweight title. 

Bisping retired from MMA a few years ago, transitioning to UFC commentary and analysis work. Speaking of which, he's been quite vocal about his support for Tom Aspinall over the latter's eye injury struggles. "The Count" has, in the past, addressed both sides of the argument -- acknowledging those defending Aspinall for taking a lengthy hiatus, as well as alluding to the criticism that he ought to be stripped of his heavyweight title for inactivity. 

Taking to his YouTube channel, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping recently defended Tom Aspinall against those accusing him of being a holdout. For the uninitiated -- Aspinall's recent signing with Matchroom Sport's Eddie Hearn, who's lately been at odds with UFC boss Dana White and the UFC, has led some to allege that Hearn is advising Aspinall to stall his comeback fight to bargain for an unreasonably substantial payday from the UFC. 

Well, Bisping scoffed at the aforementioned allegations. Emphasizing that Aspinall "wasn't faking anything," he stated, "He (Tom Aspinall) had serious eye pokes. He had to have surgery. It's an absolute damn shame he's being called a holdout." 

He added, "You can't rush back from an injury like that. You've got to take time with the eyes." 

Watch Bisping's assessment below: 

Josh Hokit reacts to Michael Bisping's comments, casts aspersions on UFC heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall

Considering the variables at play, Josh Hokit has reignited his war of words against Tom Aspinall. Citing Michael Bisping and Tom Aspinall's respective eye injury ordeals, "The Incredible Hok" reacted to footage of Bisping's comments. The undefeated heavyweight wrote: 

"You know what a real BMF like @bisping does when his eye gets destroyed? Keeps f'ing fighting. The man was blind in one eye, lied to the athletic commissions after, and went in to win a UFC World Title."

His X post further read, "Tom told the ref and Doc immediately that he "can't see". He knew what would happen by saying that. Ciryl was piecing him up, busted his nose open & he wanted out." 

You know what a real BMF like @bisping does when his eye gets destroyed? Keeps f'ing fighting.
The man was blind in one eye, lied to the athletic commissions after, and went on to win a UFC World Title. Tom told the ref and Doc immediately that he "can't see". He knew what… https://t.co/u5m2AKtmbl

— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC) August 25, 2026

Moreover, in another X post, the American noted, "Yeah but f**k having real courage and putting on a show for the fans right? That's why these p**sies have to beg for more money instead of commanding more. I'm 2 fights away from whatever I want, when I want it. Stay tuned...." 

Presently, speculation has abounded that Aspinall is likely to face recently-crowned interim champion Gane in a heavyweight championship unifier matchup by the end of this year. Hokit is also believed to be in the title mix. 

Yeah, but fuck having real courage and putting on a show for the fans right? Thats why these pussies have to beg for more money instead of commanding more. I'm 2 fights away from whatever I want, when I want it. Stay tuned.... https://t.co/3JsK5I21Hp

— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC) August 25, 2026