Dana White admits bias in Josh Hokit's UFC fight bookings

Dana White has admitted that his personal dislike for Josh Hokit influenced the matchmaking decisions that shaped the heavyweight contender’s UFC run.

Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, the UFC CEO did not hold back about his feelings toward the 28-year-old fighter.

“I didn’t like some of the things he said so I might’ve threw some tough guys at him,” White said.

“And he passed every test and here he is.”

Hokit is now set to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 334 on November 14.

That title shot comes in just his fifth UFC fight.

But the road to get there was deliberately made harder than it needed to be.

White first admitted his dislike for Hokit ahead of UFC 327, when the fighter took over a press conference with his strange characters.

Things escalated at UFC Freedom 250, where Hokit made a controversial comment that White found unacceptable.

According to the report, Hokit said “Michelle Obama is a man,” which left White extremely unhappy.

From that point, White decided to test Hokit with the toughest opposition available.

DANA WHITE’S ADMISSION

“Yeah, Hokit was the fight to make,” White told Jim Rome when asked about criticism of the heavyweight title matchup.

“Hokit has been overlooked the entire time not only by the fans and the media, but by me.

“I didn’t like some of the things he said so I might’ve threw some tough guys at him and he passed every test and here he is.

“Like him or hate him, he fought his way to the top, there’s no denying that this guy deserves the title shot.”

White’s comments mark a rare moment of transparency about how personal feelings can affect matchmaking inside the UFC.

THE TOUGH GUYS

Hokit’s path to the title included fights against Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.

Blaydes is a perennial heavyweight contender known for his wrestling and power.

Lewis, despite showing signs of regression, remains one of the most dangerous knockout artists in the division’s history.

Going into his fight at UFC Freedom 250, Lewis was 3-2 in his last five fights.

Some observers have noted that the Lewis matchup may not have been as daunting as White suggested.

But the intent behind the booking was clear: White wanted to see if Hokit could handle the pressure.

Hokit passed every test, earning his place in the title fight.

THE CONTROVERSIAL COMMENT

The comment that triggered White’s dislike happened at UFC Freedom 250.

Hokit’s statement about Michelle Obama drew immediate backlash.

White, who has often tried to steer the UFC away from political and social controversies, was reportedly furious.

This is not the first time the UFC has had to manage a fighter whose comments create problems.

Sean Strickland has consistently generated controversy with his statements, and the promotion has had to navigate those situations carefully.

Despite the potential for issues, White now seems willing to embrace Hokit’s growing star power.

A HISTORY OF BIAS IN MATCHMAKING

Matchmaking in combat sports has always been subjective.

Promoters often give favorable matchups to fighters they like or see as potential stars.

Conversely, fighters who annoy the boss or speak out of turn can find themselves facing tougher opposition.

White’s admission that he deliberately gave Hokit tough fights because he didn’t like him is unusual in its candor.

Most promoters would never publicly admit to such a practice.

But White has built his career on being blunt, even when it reveals uncomfortable truths about how the UFC operates.

THE TITLE FIGHT

Hokit will face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 334.

The fight is scheduled for November 14.

A vacant title means the previous champion has either been stripped or moved divisions.

Gane is a former interim heavyweight champion and one of the most technically skilled big men in the sport.

He has fought for the undisputed title before, losing to Francis Ngannou in 2022.

Hokit will enter the fight as a challenger who has been tested by design.

Whether that testing makes him more prepared or exposes weaknesses remains to be seen.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HOKIT

Hokit has overcome every obstacle White put in front of him.

But the question now is whether he can overcome the final one.

Gane represents a different kind of challenge than Blaydes or Lewis.

He is faster, more technical, and has championship experience.