The world of mixed martial arts is no stranger to gym rivalries, training camp controversies, and verbal sparring matches that often rival the action inside the Octagon. The latest feud to ignite the MMA landscape involves heavyweight contender Josh Hokit and Olympic gold medalist-turned-fighter Gable Steveson. Hokit has publicly questioned Steveson’s gym allegiances, calling out the wrestling standout for claiming an association with the renowned Jackson-Wink MMA while allegedly refusing to actually train at the facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hokit, a core staple of the world-famous Jackson-Wink MMA gym, did not mince words during a recent appearance where he discussed Steveson’s training habits. According to Hokit, despite Steveson being publicly linked to the legendary New Mexico-based camp, the Olympian is virtually never seen on the mats working out with the core team. Hokit revealed that he personally offered Steveson the opportunity to integrate into the team and train alongside him, an invitation that he claims went unfulfilled as Steveson pursued private training arrangements elsewhere.
Josh Hokit slams Gable Steveson for claiming Jackson-Wink association
The tension escalated when Hokit slammed Steveson for utilizing the Jackson-Wink name for clout while privately operating outside of the team’s close-knit ecosystem. Rather than grinding alongside the roster in Albuquerque, Steveson has reportedly been seen training under the guidance of former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
In characteristic fashion, Hokit voiced his frustrations bluntly during an interview with Jorge Masvidal.
"He claims it, he’s not here," Hokit told Masvidal, addressing Steveson’s gym affiliation. "I gave him a chance to be here and train with me, but he ain’t here. He’s doing his own thing with Jon Jones and he’s got stretch marks around his mouth. My team is close-knit. He’s not here at Jackson-Wink. That’s why I don’t play tic-tac-toe. Cause I don’t want squares around my circle. And if he’s not a part of my circle, motherf**ker’s a square then."
The connection to Jon Jones adds an intricate layer of historical context to the gym drama. Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, was officially banned from Jackson-Wink MMA back in 2021 following another well-documented run-in with law enforcement. Despite Jones establishing his legacy out of the Albuquerque gym for the majority of his career, his departure created a distinct separation within the local training landscape. While Steveson maintained a loose historical association with Jackson-Wink during that period, Hokit points out that the heavyweight prospect notably skipped out on essential group training sessions ahead of his most recent high-profile appearance.
That absence and shift in training environment appeared to have major ramifications for Steveson inside the cage. Heading into his bout against Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 this past September, Steveson was heavily favored by oddsmakers and analysts alike, carrying immense hype as one of the most credentialed amateur wrestlers to transition into mixed martial arts. However, the fight delivered a stunning and monumental upset. Sharaf caught the heavily touted prospect early, knocking Steveson out cold in just 12 seconds and drastically altering the trajectory of his early mixed martial arts career.
The dramatic contrast in momentum highlights the contrasting paths currently traveled by Steveson and Hokit. While Steveson looks to regroup following his devastating quick-finish defeat, Hokit is surging toward the absolute pinnacle of the heavyweight division. Hokit’s stellar run has earned him a massive championship opportunity. He is officially scheduled to challenge Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title at UFC 334, which is set to take place on November 14 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As Hokit prepares for the biggest fight of his professional career on one of the sport’s grandest stages, his focus remains firmly on the internal loyalty and camaraderie of his home gym at Jackson-Wink MMA—and far away from fighters who he believes merely use the gym’s prestigious name without putting in the honest work on the mats.
