UFC White House Fighter Throws Up at Weigh-In, Shrugs Off Incident: “So What? I Was Drinking”

Ahead of Sunday’s unprecedented UFC White House event, heavyweight Josh Hokit became one of the main talking points after drawing attention at both Friday’s press conference and Saturday morning’s weigh-in. The 28-year-old American, who is set to face Derrick Lewis on the special UFC Freedom 250 card, leaned into a theatrical persona throughout the weekend, repeatedly interrupting exchanges at the Lincoln Memorial and inserting himself into conversations regardless of who was speaking.

At the weigh-in, Hokit added to the spectacle by appearing to mimic vomiting and letting a sick-colored liquid dribble from his mouth before stepping on the scale. He also seemed unsteady as he entered and exited the room, though the behavior appeared to be part of his act rather than a genuine problem. Hokit responded to the scene by joking that maybe he had been drinking the night before, while also emphasizing the danger of his upcoming fight, noting that Lewis is a knockout specialist and one of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in UFC history.

Hokit weighed in at 231 pounds, while Lewis came in at 265 pounds. Lewis, 41, is listed as the betting underdog for the matchup. Their bout was added to the card after President Donald Trump reportedly requested it, following Hokit’s standout win over Curtis Blaydes in April. Trump had watched that fight cageside, and UFC president Dana White, a longtime Trump ally, later matched Hokit with Lewis for the White House event.

The buildup to the fight has been marked by Hokit’s increasingly unusual behavior and his adoption of multiple characters. At Friday’s press conference, he referred to himself as “The Incredible Hoke” and repeatedly inserted comments into other fighters’ exchanges. His antics escalated when he made a remark about the recent divorce of main event fighter Ilia Topuria, prompting White to abruptly end the session.

Hokit’s conduct was not a one-off. At an earlier UFC Freedom 250 launch press conference in May, he had insulted Topuria and co-main event fighter Alex Pereira, leading security to escort him off the stage. His actions have made him one of the most talked-about figures on the card, even before stepping into the Octagon.

The Saturday morning weigh-in was only the first part of the day’s formalities. The fighters are scheduled to take part in a ceremonial weigh-in Saturday evening at the Ellipse near the White House, where they will face off one final time before Sunday’s historic fight card on the South Lawn. With the unusual setting, the political backdrop, and Hokit’s unpredictable behavior, the event has already generated significant attention ahead of fight night.