Overview
- Topuria said he stepped in at the Newark promotional presser because Josh Hokit insulted Alex Pereira’s mother.
- He said the remarks made his blood boil and claimed security kept the stage from turning violent.
- Hokit mocked Topuria on X, calling him a sheltered little boy and repeating his Chama on his Mama line.
- Pereira said he did not follow the English exchange, thanked Topuria for stepping up as a brother, and urged the UFC to keep them apart during fight week.
- UFC CEO Dana White said he did not expect the flare-up, warned against injuries over stupid shit, and signaled tighter control before the June 12 press conference and the June 14 South Lawn card featuring Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis.