Dana White admits he made Josh Hokit’s UFC matchups harder on purpose

Dana White admitted on The Jim Rome Show that his personal dislike for Josh Hokit played a role in the matchups the UFC gave him.

“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, 28, is set to fight Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 334 on November 14.

He earned that shot in just his fifth UFC fight.

White’s admission came as part of a broader interview about the UFC’s heavyweight division.

The UFC CEO first voiced his dislike for Hokit ahead of UFC 327.

At that event, Hokit took over a press conference with his unusual character work.

White’s frustration grew after Hokit made a controversial comment at UFC Freedom 250.

According to reports, Hokit said “Michelle Obama is a man.”

White said he was “extremely unhappy” with the remark.

Despite that, the UFC has had to learn to handle controversial champions before.

Sean Strickland has consistently created problems for the promotion with his comments.

White acknowledged that Hokit has been overlooked by fans, media, and even by himself.

“Hokit was the fight to make,” White told Jim Rome.

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

White continued: “Like him or hate him, he fought his way to the top.”

“There’s no denying that this guy deserves the title shot.”

Hokit’s path to the title includes wins over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.

Blaydes is a top-5 heavyweight who has fought for interim gold before.

Lewis is a former title challenger and one of the division’s most dangerous punchers.

Still, some analysts have questioned the strength of Hokit’s resume.

Lewis went into their fight at UFC Freedom 250 with a 3-2 record in his last five.

Lewis has shown clear signs of regression in recent years.

Hokit’s fight against Blaydes was competitive but decisive.

White’s admission raises questions about how the UFC handles fighters it doesn’t like.

The promotion has a history of giving tough matchups to fighters who cause trouble.

But White’s candor about his own bias is unusual.

He essentially admitted that his personal feelings influenced professional decisions.

That could have implications for how Hokit’s career is viewed going forward.

If Hokit wins the title, his championship reign will be seen as earned through adversity.

If he loses, critics may argue that White’s matchmaking set him up to fail.

Hokit himself has not publicly responded to White’s comments.

His camp has not issued a statement.

The UFC has not clarified whether White’s admission will affect future matchmaking.

White’s comments also come amid other high-profile UFC storylines.

The UFC CEO is waiting on Justin Gaethje to decide his future.

Gaethje won the lightweight title against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

Alexander Volkanovski has called for a super fight with Gaethje.

White said he would “pretty much do anything for Alexander Volkanovski at this point.”

But he made clear the decision rests with Gaethje.

“The big question is: what does Justin Gaethje wanna do?” White said.

“Justin, coming off this unbelievable win at the White House.”

“He’s an incredible athlete too; what does he wanna do next?”

“I don’t know yet… We’re talking to him, but we’ll figure it out.”

“He’s going to have to pull the trigger one way or another.”

Volkanovski has acknowledged that Arman Tsarukyan deserves the next lightweight title shot.

He has also expressed willingness to face Tsarukyan for a vacant championship if Gaethje retires.

White’s patience with indecisive champions appears to be wearing thin.

He recently expressed frustration with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev suddenly pivoted from fighting at UFC 336.

White made clear he expects fighters to commit and follow through.

That context makes his admission about Hokit even more striking.