“Neither deserve a f***ing title shot”: Josh Hokit delivers a brutal reality check to Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira amid fresh UFC title talk

Josh Hokit (Image via IG/X)

Alex Pereira wants another chance against Ciryl Gane, but Josh Hokit believes the former two-division champion should take a different route. As fresh UFC title talk surrounds Pereira and Ilia Topuria, Hokit has made his position clear. The heavyweight contender believes both fighters should return to the win column before receiving another championship opportunity. His comments have now added fresh tension to an already uncertain UFC title picture. The debate could grow louder as the UFC weighs its next moves.

Pereira’s desire for a rematch comes after his June loss to Gane at UFC Freedom 250. Gane stopped Pereira in the second round and captured the interim heavyweight title, giving Pereira his first major setback since moving into the division.The result also left Pereira with unfinished business in his eyes. He has pointed to illegal strikes during the bout and believes another opportunity against Gane could allow him to show what he can do under different circumstances.Pereira has also made it clear that his ambitions at heavyweight remain high. A win over Gane could potentially put him in position to chase a third UFC championship.Hokit, however, does not believe Pereira should be able to jump straight back into the title picture.

"As a fan, that fight makes no fing sense," Hokit said on X. "I watched you get demolished. How about a more favorable matchup like Sergei, who is basically a striker and way less athletic than Ciryl. How about you get one f***ing win in this weight class before you are gifted another title shot."Hokit’s argument is simple. Pereira has only recently suffered his first defeat at heavyweight, so another win in the division could strengthen his case before another championship opportunity.That approach would also give Pereira a chance to learn from his loss without immediately repeating the matchup. A fight against Sergei would offer a fresh test and could show whether Pereira can establish himself as a true heavyweight contender.For Hokit, earning that next opportunity matters more than the attention a rematch could create.

Hokit’s criticism did not stop with Pereira. He also brought Ilia Topuria into the conversation, arguing that neither fighter should be rewarded with an immediate title shot after suffering convincing defeats."Growing up, I loved the UFC and all of its fighters," Hokit continued. "So it gives me great pleasure to use my platform today to speak the truth: neither Ilia Topuria nor Alex Pereira deserve a f***ing title shot in their next fight. They both got handily destroyed. Make them earn it and fight their way back like everyone else. Sincerely, the fans."His comments arrive at a difficult time for the UFC, particularly in the heavyweight division. Tom Aspinall remains the undisputed heavyweight champion, while Gane holds the interim championship. Aspinall’s extended absence has created uncertainty over when the division can move toward a clear title unification fight.That uncertainty could give the UFC several options. The promotion could wait for Aspinall, book Pereira against another heavyweight, or consider another Gane-Pereira meeting depending on how the title situation develops.Hokit also took aim at the UFC’s matchmaking while calling for an American heavyweight champion."When UFC starts letting guys that try to feed carrots to a school bus and Brigitte Macron's stunt double to do their matchmaking, this company is fing cooked. USA pays the bills around here. The fans deserve [an] American champion and a fing fight we didn't just see in June!"

His comments have added heat to an already complicated title picture. Pereira wants another shot at Gane, while Hokit believes both Pereira and Topuria need to rebuild their momentum first.Whether the UFC agrees with Hokit is another matter. For now, his message is unmistakable: big names should not automatically receive another title opportunity simply because their previous fights generated attention. In his view, the road back to championship glory should begin with another win.