Alex Pereira remains dumbfounded by Josh Hokit’s trash talk at UFC Freedom 250 presser: “I never saw this”

Alex Pereira still doesn’t quite know what to make of Josh Hokit’s antics towards him during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference.

Pereira and Hokit will be featured in separate bouts on the historic June 14 event on the White House lawn. “Poatan” will be facing Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Hokit is scheduled to clash with Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight battle.

Back in May, the first press conference to kick off the build for UFC Freedom 250 took place, and things got out of hand quickly. Hokit delivered some harsh words for Pereira, who couldn’t understand what he was saying due to a language barrier. At one point, Hokit told Pereira that he would “Chama on your momma.”

Reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria had seen enough and berated “The Incredible Hok” on the mic. Eventually, Hokit was removed from the press conference.

During an interview with MMAFighting.com, Pereira praised Topuria for backing him up when he wasn’t picking up on the barbs that Hokit was hurling.

“Much more surprised with Topuria to stand up, defend me, staying by my side, because I think he felt bad that I don’t speak English, and many things were being saying there were kind of like the translation was not sharp because it’s when it’s too simultaneous like that, it’s not too good,” Pereira said through a translator.

“So I think that I’m definitely impressed by him, by Ilia Topuria.”

Pereira was then asked if he had ever seen someone be as animated towards him during a UFC press event.

“No, no, no,” Pereira said. “I never saw [anything like] this”

The door could be open for a fight between Pereira and Hokit down the line if both men emerge victorious at UFC Freedom 250. Hokit has been on the rise, while “Poatan” is looking to make history by winning championship gold in a third weight class, albeit interim.

Will both Alex Pereira and Josh Hokit earn wins at UFC Freedom 250? Join in on the conversation in the comments below.