Josh Hokit blows up on Alex Pereira’s demand for a Ciryl Gane rematch

When the UFC heavyweight interim title bout at UFC Freedom 250 ended in a controversial second‑round TKO, the fallout was louder than the punches. Brazilian kick‑boxer‑turned‑MMA star Alex Pereira walked away claiming illegal back‑of‑the‑head blows and a referee who “turned a blind eye.”

Fast‑forward to June 2026, Pereira posted on Instagram that a rematch with the French‑Canadian giant Ciryl Gane is what he wants most. In his own words, “I think the fight that makes sense is Ciryl Gane… I’m excited for that, and I’ll work for that.” The post, quickly amplified by MMAJunkie on X, set the fans – and a certain former UFC welterweight champion – talking.

Enter Josh Hokit. The former champion, known for his candid takes, fired off a no‑holds‑barred tweet that read, “When @UFC starts letting guys that try to feed carrots to a school bus & Brigitte Macron’s stunt double to do their matchmaking, this company is fg cooked. USA pays the bills around here. The fans deserve an American champion and a fg fight we didn’t just see in June!!!!” The language was raw, the sentiment unmistakable: Hokit is tired of what he sees as a broken matchmaking process.

He didn’t stop there. In a follow‑up post, Hokit broadened his criticism, naming Ilia Topuria – the unbeaten featherweight sensation – alongside Pereira. “Neither Ilia Topuria nor Alex Pereira deserve a fu*king title shot in their next fight,” he wrote, adding, “They both got handily destroyed. Make them earn it and fight their way back like everyone else. Sincerely, The Fans.”

The tweet struck a chord with many American‑based fans who feel the promotion’s focus has shifted away from homegrown talent. Hokit’s reference to “USA pays the bills around here” echoes a long‑standing debate about whether the UFC should prioritize American champions in its marquee events.

For Pereira, the desire for redemption is clear. He believes a second encounter with Gane would give him a chance to set the record straight and chase that elusive third belt. For Hokit and a vocal segment of the fanbase, the priority is different – they want a fresh challenger, an authentic title fight that feels earned, not handed out.

Only time will tell if the UFC will bend to Hokit’s call, give Pereira the rematch, or perhaps carve a new path altogether. One thing is certain: the conversation is far from over, and the passion on both sides shows just how deeply fans care about who gets to stand under the heavyweight lights.