Valter Walker rebukes Josh Hokit after his controversial comment about UFC 330 star Ian Machado Garry's son

Valter Walker and Josh Hokit's already-bitter rivalry appears to be intensifying.

The UFC heavyweights have traded barbs in the aftermath of a controversial comment that Hokit made regarding UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry's three-year-old son, Leo Machado Garry. 

Valter Walker rebukes Josh Hokit after his comment concerning UFC 330 headliner Ian Machado Garry's son

Ian Machado Garry is en route to his maiden UFC championship fight, as he takes on reigning UFC welterweight titlist Islam Makhachev for the title. They'll do battle in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Saturday, August 15. 

Garry and Makhachev posed for a promotional faceoff at the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art alongside the famous Rocky steps and Rocky statue. Ian and his wife Layla Machado Garry's (Layla Anna-Lee's) son, Leo Machado Garry -- who was also present there -- was said to be eager to meet his favorite fighter, Islam Makhachev. 

Nevertheless, a supposedly unbeknownst Makhachev, after the faceoff, departed with his team. Leo was in tears, as he missed the opportunity to meet him. Meanwhile, Ian and Layla consoled the child, with the father promising he'll get a chance to say hello to Makhachev soon. 

The events were captured on camera by Anatomy of a Fighter filmmaker Will Harris. The footage piqued fan interest on social media, and UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit chimed in on it. 

The American MMA fighter was among a few critics of Garry, who alleged that the Irishman was perhaps playing mind games by initiating a family interaction with Makhachev. That said, unlike most detractors, Hokit went a step further and threatened to "punt" Leo if Ian tried to get the child to shake his (Hokit's) hand. 

The post sparked massive backlash for Hokit, with many fans castigating him for making a statement of that ilk against a child. On the contrary, his supporters argued that he was joking and simply staying true to a sort of professional wrestling heel (villain) persona he's known to put on to hype up himself and his fights. 

Regardless, UFC heavyweight Valter Walker and many other netizens condemned Hokit for the contentious remarks. "The Clean Monster" suggested that Hokit's depiction of multiple characters/personalities is simply an excuse for him to make disrespectful and incendiary comments. 

Responding to "The Incredible Hok's" X post, Walker wrote, "Any jacka** with two personalities, just so he can hide behind one of them, is a complete idiot. Just shut up. 'Incredible sh**." 

Any jackass with two personalities, just so he can hide behind one of them, is a complete idiot. Just shut up. 'Incredible shit. https://t.co/TSDpfHaY7w

— Valter Walker UFC (@ValterUfc) August 12, 2026

Josh Hokit renews his mockery of Valter Walker's physical appearance after Ian Machado Garry post

Josh Hokit fired back at Valter Walker by yet again appearing to mock the 6'6" heavyweight's looks. The California-born fighter had previously likened Walker to Sloth, a gigantic character with facial deformities, from the Hollywood film The Goonies (1985). 

Well, he's now insinuated that Walker and his progeny are akin to monsters from Hollow Earth. For context, the Hollow Earth trope in Hollywood draws from various scientific hypotheses and myths that the Earth is hollow and contains many secret civilizations and monsters. 

Hokit wrote, "I would never punt your kid. I would capture it so I could return it back to Hollow Earth." 

Presently, the unbeaten Hokit is ranked No. 6 in the UFC heavyweight division, per the official Meta UFC rankings.

Walker, who's at No. 8, was targeted by Hokit during a post-fight Octagon interview last year. They've been at odds since, with "The Clean Monster" even warning that he'd break his outspoken American foe's leg when they eventually clash. 

I would never punt your kid. I would capture it so I could return it back to Hollow Earth. https://t.co/5UzTQOP2tx

— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC) August 13, 2026