Josh Hokit Takes Dig at Islam Makhachev and Brock Lesnar Amid UFC Title Ambitions

Josh Hokit has added another bizarre chapter to his growing UFC story, taking an unexpected swipe at Islam Makhachev while joking that Brock Lesnar belongs in the same fictional category as Godzilla and King Kong.

The undefeated UFC heavyweight made the unusual comment after a fan challenged him to fight tougher opponents, including the fictional monster Godzilla. Rather than simply answering the challenge, Hokit redirected the conversation toward Makhachev and Lesnar, producing a post that quickly stood out for its unusual combination of MMA stars and fictional characters.

Hokit suggested that only in Dagestan, high in the Caucasus Mountains, would people supposedly believe that Godzilla, King Kong and Brock Lesnar are real beings. The comment was clearly framed as a joke, but it also demonstrated Hokit’s willingness to use provocative humor to remain part of the MMA conversation.

The timing is important because Hokit is simultaneously trying to establish himself as a serious contender in the UFC heavyweight division. Following his victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250, the former NFL player has been calling for bigger challenges and has openly discussed a path toward the heavyweight championship.

Why Josh Hokit Mentioned Islam Makhachev

There is no obvious competitive connection between Hokit and Makhachev at the moment. Hokit competes at heavyweight, while Makhachev has established himself at the lighter end of the UFC’s championship landscape.

That difference is precisely what made Hokit’s reference so unusual.

Makhachev has built a reputation as one of the most accomplished fighters in modern MMA. His championship success at lightweight established him as an elite competitor, while his move to welterweight created another major stage for his career.

By bringing Makhachev into a joke about fictional monsters, Hokit selected one of the most recognizable names in MMA to amplify his social-media message.

This is increasingly common in modern combat sports. Fighters no longer rely exclusively on traditional interviews and press conferences to promote themselves. Social media allows them to create their own narratives, sometimes mixing serious competitive goals with jokes, trolling and exaggerated claims.

Hokit appears particularly comfortable with that approach.

Brock Lesnar Becomes an Unexpected Target

The Brock Lesnar reference was even more unusual because Lesnar has a genuine history in both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.

Lesnar became one of the biggest attractions in UFC heavyweight history after transitioning from professional wrestling to MMA. His combination of size, athletic ability and wrestling experience helped him become a UFC heavyweight champion.

That makes Hokit’s joke work through deliberate absurdity. Putting an actual former UFC champion alongside Godzilla and King Kong creates an intentionally ridiculous comparison.

There is no indication that Hokit was making a serious claim about Lesnar’s existence. Instead, the reference fits the broader style of his social-media presence, where unusual humor is used to generate attention.

For a fighter trying to become a bigger name in the UFC, that attention can have real promotional value.

Josh Hokit’s Undefeated Record Gives His Talk More Weight

Behind the jokes, Hokit has a legitimate competitive foundation for his ambitions.

The former NFL player remains undefeated and has already added a recognizable heavyweight name to his record by defeating Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250.

That victory matters because Lewis has established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous knockout threats and one of its most recognizable personalities.

However, an undefeated record does not automatically guarantee a championship opportunity. As fighters move higher in the rankings, the quality of opposition becomes increasingly important.

Hokit will therefore need to demonstrate that his success can continue against technically stronger and more experienced heavyweight contenders.

His Real Target Appears to Be the UFC Heavyweight Title

While the Makhachev and Lesnar comments generated attention, Hokit’s broader career plan is much more serious.

He has repeatedly called for major heavyweight fights and has specifically targeted Ciryl Gane. Hokit has also criticized the situation surrounding heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and argued that the title picture needs to move forward.

In a lengthy social-media post, Hokit laid out his criticism of Aspinall before proposing himself for a fight against Gane in 2026.

He also made an ambitious prediction about the following year, claiming that he would eventually fight Alex Pereira and attempt to break Merab Dvalishvili’s record for title defenses in 2027.

That is an enormous target. Championship records are difficult to establish even for elite fighters, and achieving multiple successful defenses requires consistency, health, favorable matchmaking and the ability to remain at the top of the division.

Hokit’s Proposed Path Toward the Top

The proposed route is extremely ambitious, but it reveals how Hokit views his position. He does not appear interested in taking a slow, conventional path toward contention. He wants major opponents and a fast route toward championship relevance.

Why Ciryl Gane Is a More Logical Target

From a sporting perspective, Hokit’s callout of Ciryl Gane is far more relevant than his comments about Makhachev.

Gane is an established heavyweight who has competed at the highest level of the division. A matchup between the two would therefore provide a much clearer measurement of Hokit’s championship potential.

A fight against Gane would also test whether Hokit can handle an opponent who brings a different combination of technical skill, movement and heavyweight experience.

That is where Hokit’s next stage becomes particularly interesting.

His social-media presence can attract attention, but victories over elite opponents are what would ultimately turn that attention into legitimate title credibility.

Hokit’s Social-Media Strategy Is Different From a Traditional Callout

Hokit’s style reflects a larger change in combat-sports promotion. Fighters can now create their own storylines without waiting for an official UFC announcement.

A single social-media post can trigger discussion, generate headlines and potentially increase interest in a future matchup.

For a fighter attempting to climb the heavyweight rankings, that visibility can be useful.

Can Josh Hokit Become a Genuine Heavyweight Contender?

The biggest question is whether Hokit can convert his undefeated record and growing popularity into sustained success against elite competition.

Records can provide an important snapshot of a fighter’s career, but they do not tell the entire story. The level of opposition, the manner of victories, technical development and performance under pressure become increasingly important as a fighter approaches championship contention.

His win over Lewis provides a significant foundation, but the next major opponent could tell fans much more about Hokit’s actual ceiling.

A matchup with an elite heavyweight such as Gane would be especially revealing. It could test Hokit’s ability to deal with technical striking, movement, tactical adjustments and the pace of a high-level UFC fight.

The Biggest Challenge: Turning Attention Into Results

There is a major difference between becoming an entertaining UFC personality and becoming a championship contender.

Hokit has already demonstrated that he knows how to attract attention. His unconventional posts give fans something to discuss, while his ambitious callouts create potential storylines around his career.

But eventually, the Octagon becomes the final judge.

If Hokit continues defeating increasingly difficult opponents, his online personality could become a significant advantage. Every major victory would give his callouts greater credibility.

If he struggles against elite competition, however, his most ambitious predictions could become easier for critics to dismiss.

What Makes Josh Hokit’s UFC Story Different?

Hokit’s background gives him an unusual foundation for an MMA career. Before becoming a professional fighter, he played football, giving his transition into combat sports an additional storyline.

That crossover appeal can help an athlete stand out, particularly in a heavyweight division where physical attributes and athletic backgrounds often attract attention.

Hokit has combined that background with a highly unconventional public personality.

Instead of relying solely on traditional fighter promotion, he appears comfortable creating bizarre social-media moments that encourage fans to react.

That strategy can be risky, but it can also make a fighter memorable.

Could Hokit Become One of UFC’s Next Heavyweight Attractions?

There is a genuine opportunity for Hokit if he can continue combining competitive success with personality.

The UFC heavyweight division has historically produced some of the promotion’s biggest stars because fights can change instantly with one decisive exchange. That unpredictability naturally creates interest around powerful and confident contenders.

Hokit appears to understand the entertainment side of that equation.

The next step is proving that his confidence matches his ability against the division’s best fighters.

Conclusion

Josh Hokit’s latest social-media post involving Islam Makhachev and Brock Lesnar may have been designed as a joke, but it fits into a much bigger campaign to make himself one of the UFC’s most talked-about heavyweights.

His undefeated record and victory over Derrick Lewis provide a legitimate foundation for his ambitions, while his calls for a fight with Ciryl Gane show that his ultimate target is the heavyweight championship picture.

The Makhachev and Lesnar comments are unlikely to determine Hokit’s career. His performances against increasingly difficult opponents will.

If he continues winning, the jokes, callouts and ambitious predictions could become part of the package that makes him a major UFC attraction. If he cannot maintain that momentum against elite opposition, the attention may prove temporary.

For now, Hokit is doing exactly what modern MMA rewards: giving fans something to talk about while positioning himself for the biggest fights available.