Dana White Dreads Possible Josh Hokit UFC Title Reign

Dana White has booked Josh Hokit to challenge Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title, even though the promotion's CEO admits he isn't a fan of the undefeated contender. White said he doesn't like "anything Josh Hokit says," but called his own discomfort with a potential Hokit title run "a me issue."

That's a notable admission from the man who runs the UFC. White greenlit the biggest fight of Hokit's career and put him opposite Gane for the belt, but he's openly bracing for the idea of Hokit walking around as heavyweight champion if the underdog pulls off the upset.

Why Is Dana White Worried About a Josh Hokit Title Run?

White's comments paint Hokit as a fighter he finds grating outside the cage, even as he backs him with a genuine title opportunity. The UFC boss booked the matchup with Gane despite that friction, drawing a clear line between his personal feelings about Hokit and Hokit's standing as a legitimate title challenger. Gane, for his part, has already responded to the matchup, sending a message to the undefeated Hokit as the newly crowned heavyweight champion.

Betting Angle

Oddsmakers see this as a clear title defense for the champion. Josh Hokit won't be taking heavyweight gold from Ciryl Gane, according to opening odds, which makes sense given Gane's status as the newly crowned champion facing a challenger who has yet to prove himself at this level. Hokit comes in as the live underdog, and given his unbeaten record, that number is one bettors will watch closely as fight week approaches to see whether the line moves toward the challenger.

The more interesting angle for bettors right now isn't the moneyline, it's the sideshow. White's public ambivalence about Hokit doesn't move odds on its own, but it does add intrigue to how the promotion positions its challenger heading into the biggest fight of his career. If Hokit backs up his undefeated record with a statement performance, expect any future line on him to shift fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Dana White say he dreads a Josh Hokit title reign?

Dana White said he doesn't like "anything Josh Hokit says," and admitted his discomfort with a possible Hokit heavyweight title reign is "a me issue," even though he booked Hokit's title shot against Ciryl Gane.

Who is favored in the Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit heavyweight title fight?

Ciryl Gane opened as the betting favorite over Josh Hokit in their UFC heavyweight title fight, with Hokit set as the underdog.

Has Ciryl Gane responded to facing Josh Hokit?

Yes, newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane has sent a message to the undefeated Josh Hokit ahead of their title fight.