Josh Hokit has certainly rubbed plenty of people the wrong way throughout his rise in mixed martial arts, but former champion Robert Whittaker is not one of them.
The surging heavyweight contender is now just days away from the biggest opportunity of his career: his first title shot in MMA’s leading promotion. This high-stakes clash serves as the UFC 334 main event, taking over the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York City this Saturday.
Headlining the historic card in New York will be Ciryl Gane’s championship defense against Hokit. The Frenchman is putting the undisputed heavyweight gold on the line for the first time since inheriting the belt as a result of Tom Aspinall vacating the position. While Hokit has accumulated a vocal group of detractors who have publicly questioned whether he truly deserves this immediate title shot, Whittaker has been fully behind the polarizing challenger ever since witnessing some truly strange weigh-in behavior back in June.
It is safe to say that Hokit’s unique brand of showmanship and unconventional shtick is simply not for everyone. Ever since debuting his distinctive persona on Dana White’s Contender Series, the heavyweight known as “The Incredible Hok” has drawn widespread criticism from fans, analysts, and peers alike for his erratic actions and controversial comments both inside and outside the cage.
One of the most notable controversies occurred when Hokit made a bizarre comment regarding former First Lady Michelle Obama during his post-fight Octagon interview with veteran broadcaster Joe Rogan at UFC Freedom 250. Such moments have alienated a large portion of the fanbase, casting him as a divisive figure in the sport.
However, when it came to securing Whittaker’s unexpected support, Hokit won over the respected Australian veteran through a display of absolute commitment the day before he stepped into the Octagon to face Derrick Lewis on the White House lawn.
“I thought Josh was a moron, right? And then I saw him commit to the role so heavily by drooling on himself with that baby food that I subscribed straight away,” Whittaker revealed during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“Anyone that can go that deep into a role has my subscription. So I’m a fan now… I think he did [deserve the title shot]. I think drooling baby food on yourself gets you a title shot.”
Despite being thoroughly entertained by Hokit’s wild commitment to his character and gimmicks, Whittaker’s appreciation for the challenger’s entertainment value does not mean he expects the newcomer to leave Madison Square Garden with the heavyweight championship belt in his possession.
Evaluating the sporting reality of the matchup, Whittaker acknowledges the massive challenge that awaits the challenger against a seasoned veteran of the division’s elite tier.
“Gane’s good, man. He’s really, really good, and he has the résumé to back it up. Josh hasn’t had that lengthy résumé just yet,” Whittaker noted.
Weighing the competitive landscape and the stark contrast in their professional journeys, the former champion made his final prediction clear.
“If I had to bet my house on it, I’m not betting on Josh. I’m gonna bet on Ciryl,” Whittaker added.
