Ilia Topuria explains ‘blood boiling’ altercation with Josh Hokit at UFC White House presser

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria was prepared to fight Josh Hokit on stage at the recent UFC White House press conference.

Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and other top names will clash on the upcoming UFC White House card next month. Topuria and Gaethje headline a stacked seven-fight card at UFC Freedom 250, marking the first major sporting event to take place on the White House lawn.

Before the show begins next month, Topuria, Gaethje, and the full card came together at the UFC White House pre-fight press conference earlier this month in Newark. Sparks flew on stage as polarizing UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit got into it with opponent Derrick Lewis, along with Pereira and Topuria.

Hokit had to be escorted offstage after security separated Topuria, Pereira, and him before things could turn into a full-on fistfight. Topuria defended Pereira from Hokit’s verbal attacks, including Hokit mocking Pereira’s mother as a part of his trash talk routine.

Ilia Topuria explains fiery altercation with Josh Hokit at UFC press conference

In a recent interview with Alvaro Colmenero, Topuria opened up on why Hokit struck a nerve with him on stage.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Topuria said. “I’ve been at many press conferences, I’ve seen everything. But I’ve never seen anyone stand up and talk about someone’s mother in such a disrespectful way.

“I mean, it was pretty disrespectful. And Alex, at the same time, there was so much noise you couldn’t hear much, and I said I can’t believe he’s saying all this stuff for no reason. Because you’re not even going to fight him. No, no. What for? You can talk about the other’s professionalism, you can go after each other, it’s fine. We’re used to it. We know what we’re in for.

“But talking about the other’s mother in that way, it made my blood boil.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

It didn’t take long for Hokit to take notice of Topuria’s latest remarks, as he responded in a recent tweet.

“You’d never survive at a middle school lunch table in American then,” Hokit responded to Topuria.

“You sheltered little boy, I said I’m gonna Chama on his Mama. If that’s so bad, then that begs the question, what does ‘Chama’ even mean?”

Hokit, Topuria, and the full UFC White House card fighters will come face-to-face at least one more time before the action kicks off on June 14th. Don’t be surprised if things pop off again between Topuria and Hokit.

What is your prediction for Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje? Let us know in the comments!