UFC heavyweight star Josh Hokit reacts to Moses Itauma's first loss

Josh Hokit had something in common with Moses Itauma prior to the latter's recent boxing match with Filip Hrgović. Both men were undefeated, and while the UFC heavyweight's record remains spotless, the same can no longer be said for Itauma, whose loss led to Hokit comparing the two of them.

Josh Hokit can relate to Moses Itauma

Yesterday's IBF heavyweight title fight was meant to be the first of many crowning moments in Moses Itauma's young boxing career. He was undefeated at 14-0, with 13 stoppages to his name. Meanwhile, his opponent, Filip Hrgović, entered the bout with a 20-1 record, while being 13 years his senior at 34 years old. No one expected Hrgović to win, and for most of the fight, things were going Itauma's way as he won round after round, hurting and knocking Hrgović down. However, in his relentless pursuit of the knockout, Itauma completely gassed himself out and was on wobbly legs by round 9, barely able to stand and even throw a proper punch.

It wasn't long before Hrgović, who was the fresher man, started to land his own shots against a spent Itauma, who could no longer stand, prompting the referee to wave the fight off. Many were shocked by the result, including the level of exhaustion Itauma showed. Though one fighter who could relate to gassing out to that extent was undefeated UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit, who took to X to point out that few will ever experience what Itauma had, and what he himself had at UFC 327 when he faced heavyweight mainstay Curtis Blaydes in one of the greatest fights in the division's history. While Hokit was also stumbling and exhausted by the end, he still managed to win via unanimous decision.

"Very few will ever feel this level of exhaustion where you turn into a drunk uncle.. but unlike this guy, The Incredible Hok finds a way to keep going!"

For now, Itauma, who has vowed to come back stronger, will dust himself off and likely learn not to try and knock his opponent out with every punch. Hokit, by contrast, who survived his encounter with exhaustion, went on to TKO Derrick Lewis in round two at UFC Freedom 250, and has since called for either a heavyweight title shot, interim or otherwise, or a fight with Alex Pereira.