Overview
- Josh Hokit posted on X on June 30 calling for the UFC to strip and release Tom Aspinall and proposing a September title shot against interim champion Ciryl Gane.
- Hokit doubled down on earlier taunts of Alex Pereira in the same posts and has a track record of inflammatory remarks that drew Dana White's public criticism but no formal punishment.
- Aspinall’s team reported on June 24 that he has recovered from double eye surgery and is back in training, meaning the promotion currently has a medically available undisputed champion.
- Hokit’s comments provoked angry reactions from other fighters, including Valter Walker, who publicly threatened physical retaliation and raised concrete safety and disciplinary concerns for the UFC.
- Sporting logic still points to an Aspinall‑Gane unification bout, but those plans are now complicated by Aspinall’s new Matchroom representation, contract talks with the UFC, and mounting public pressure from contenders.