Outside Source
Health permitting, Josh Hokit has earned himself a spot at the UFC White House event. | Getty/UFC
At the request of President Donald Trump, the UFC White House card will have one more fight than originally anticipated.
UFC CEO Dana White announced on Saturday that Derrick Lewis will square off against Josh Hokit at the June 14 event. UFC White House takes place on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C., and is headlined by a lightweight title tilt pitting Ilia Topuria against Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will vie for the interim heavyweight belt.
Advertisement
Just prior to the announcement, Hokit had emerged from a three-round war against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 with a unanimous decision triumph. “The Incredible Hok” is 9-0 as a professional — including three triumphs in the UFC. Blaydes was by far the most significant victory of Hokit’s career to date, and the bout also stands out as a potential “Fight of the Year” contender for 2026.
How It All Came Together
“What’s crazy is, organically, about an hour before [Hokit vs. Blaydes], the president said to me, ‘Why is Derrick Lewis not on the White House card?'” White said at the UFC 327 post-fight press conference. “I said I’ll be back in five minutes. I went and called Derrick Lewis. I said, ‘The president wants to know why you’re not on the White House card.’
“Then, the Hokit fight happens. I have the head phones on and Joe Rogan goes, ‘Is there another slot open on the White House card for Hokit?’ I go,’ Holy s—t.’ I grab Mick and say, ‘Go back there and talk and see if he’s in. Hokit was getting into an ambulance and says yes.”
Hokit was taken to a nearby hospital immediately following his victory over Blaydes. His potential availability for the UFC White House card will become more clear in the coming days.
Lewis, meanwhile, is the UFC’s all-time knockout leader with 16. “The Black Beast” last appeared at UFC 324, where he had a two-bout winning streak snapped in a second-round TKO defeat against Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
