MMA community reacts to Josh Hokit choking out fan at a meet-and-greet
UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit has sparked controversy with his submission maneuver on a fan at a recent meet-and-greet.
Josh Hokit has become one of the most polarizing personalities in the sport of MMA, within merely a year of joining the UFC organization's roster.
The American fighter has elicited sharp condemnation for some of his socio-political statements, which many have labeled as intentionally provocative and discriminatory.
Adding to his list of controversies, Hokit has now gotten himself in hot water yet again by choking out a fan at a meet-and-greet.
Josh Hokit's UFC ascent and litany of controversies
Former amateur wrestler and American Football player Josh Hokit made a mark in the MMA realm last year, impressing viewers on the Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) platform before making his UFC main roster debut in November.
He's 4-0 inside the Octagon, most recently having stopped the veteran Derrick Lewis via second-round TKO at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Hokit's success in the sporting realm has run parallel with his infamy outside of it, as he's made some rather questionable remarks regarding American public personalities such as former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
Moreover, in the aftermath of the concerning end to the UFC Vegas 121 main event matchup between Raul Rosas Jr. and Raoni Barcelos, Hokit offended many netizens once again. Barcelos suffered a KO defeat and was transported to the hospital, which caused many in the MMA world to send him their thoughts and prayers.
Hokit, however, made an X post that many noted was disrespectful toward the situation involving Barcelos. The heavyweight wrote: "Die in the octagon or die from cancer.. f**k it, we all die one day."
Die in the octagon or die from cancer.. fuck it, we all die one day
— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC) September 27, 2026
Josh Hokit chokes a fan out at meet-and-greet, netizens react
Footage of Josh Hokit choking a man unconscious has now caught the attention of fans on social media. The individual appeared to be a willing participant, as onlookers cheered him and Hokit on. Nevertheless, things seemed to go awry when he lost consciousness, and the heavyweight placed him on the ground.
He regained his bearings within seconds but struggled to get up. Well, many netizens soon chimed in by expressing their concerns over the incident, which marks yet another instance of fans asking fighters to exhibit their submission maneuvers on them and fighters obliging.
Josh Hokit put this fan to sleep at a meet-and-greet yesterday 😬 (via @Josh_HokitUFC) https://t.co/3xF78aEJdB
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 27, 2026
One X user noted, "Why do people ask for this sh** man?" A commenter alluded to the possible brain damage the act could've caused to the person: "This cannot be good for the brain lol."
An excerpt from another fan's post read, "Imagine one of these fans gets paralyzed or hurt." Meanwhile, an observer exclaimed, "How stupid can people be!!"
A fan questioned, "Why?" Moreover, another X user slammed the act, stating, "This sh** is so dumb and irresponsible."
Presently, Josh Hokit is scheduled to compete in his maiden UFC world championship fight. "The Incredible Hok" is booked to take on reigning UFC heavyweight kingpin Ciryl Gane for the latter's title in the headlining match of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York on November 14.
Check out the screenshots of a few netizens' reactions to Josh Hokit choking out a fan below:
