Josh Hokit doubles down after Ilia Topuria criticises UFC press conference jab

19 May 2026 • 12:19 AM MYT
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Image from: Josh Hokit doubles down after Ilia Topuria criticises UFC press conference jab
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC

Josh Hokit has responded after Ilia Topuria addressed their clash at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference.

The incident started after Hokit mentioned Alex Pereira’s mother.

Topuria said he was shocked by the comment and described it as disrespectful. He also said speaking about another fighter’s mother in that way made his “blood boil”.

The confrontation became one of the main talking points from the press conference, as Hokit was removed after the exchange. However, the American heavyweight is not changing his tone after all the buzz.

Josh Hokit hits back at Ilia Topuria after Alex Pereira mother comment row

Image from: Josh Hokit doubles down after Ilia Topuria criticises UFC press conference jab
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Hokit reacted to Topuria’s latest remarks on the matter via X last Sunday night, and the rising star did not apologise for the comments. Instead, he aimed another response directly at Topuria.

He wrote: “You’d never survive at a middle school lunch table in America then, you sheltered little boy. I said, ‘I’m gonna ‘Chama’ on his Mama.’ If that’s so bad, then that begs the question, what does ‘Chama’ even mean?”

Topuria’s connection with Pereira helped explain his response. He had recently spent time with Pereira’s team, including Plinio Cruz and Glover Teixeira, before the White House meeting.

The Spaniard trained at Cruz’s gym, then travelled with ‘Poatan’, Teixeira and Cruz on a chartered jet to meet Donald Trump at the White House.

The exchange keeps attention on Hokit, Topuria and Pereira after the press conference.

It also adds another storyline around UFC Freedom 250 before the event takes place.