Josh Hokit

Josh Hokit is an American professional mixed martial artist. He stands out as one of those rare athletes who keeps crossing over from one combat sport to another. Born in 1997 in Clovis, California, he first gained attention as a dual-sport star at Fresno State. There he played fullback for the football team while also competing as a heavyweight wrestler. His combination of size, power and athleticism eventually led him from the gridiron and wrestling mat into professional mixed martial arts.

Hokit turned heads with an undefeated run in smaller promotions before joining Bellator MMA. A standout performance on Dana White's Contender Series earned him a UFC contract in 2023. Fans and commentators often point to his wrestling base and football toughness as reasons he could develop into a real force in the heavyweight division. By 2026 he remains early in his UFC journey yet draws extra interest for his unusual background and his very public support from former President Donald Trump.

Outside the cage Hokit trains at the well-known JacksonWink MMA Academy in New Mexico. He still lists Fresno as his fight town, showing strong ties to his California roots. His pro record reflects a finishing style that mixes wrestling control with striking power. While he has not yet cracked the upper ranks of the division, his trajectory keeps fight fans curious about how far the former college standout can climb. [edit]

Josh Hokit grew up in Clovis, California, right in the heart of the Central Valley. Sports dominated his youth. He developed into a standout two-sport athlete during his time at Fresno State. On the football field he lined up at fullback, a position that rewarded his blocking skills and surprising speed for a man his size. At the same time he wrestled in the heavyweight class at 285 pounds and quickly became one of the Bulldogs' most reliable performers.

His college years produced concrete results. In 2020 he earned NWCA Second-Team All-American honors in wrestling. He qualified for the NCAA Championships twice, though the 2020 event was canceled because of the pandemic. Those accomplishments, paired with steady football contributions, put him on the radar of NFL scouts. The dual-sport résumé also planted the seeds for his later move into MMA once his football window closed. [edit]

Josh Hokit began his pro path with a brief NFL stay. He spent time on the practice squads of the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted. Those experiences sharpened his discipline but never translated into regular playing time. Once he pivoted to mixed martial arts he found quicker success. He ran off five straight wins, several by stoppage, before catching the eye of Bellator officials.

A dominant showing on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023 sealed his UFC deal. He made his official UFC debut at UFC Vegas 111 against Max Gimenis. By 2025 and 2026 he had become a topic of conversation beyond the octagon after Donald Trump praised him publicly and invited him to appear on a proposed White House fight card against Derrick Lewis. The attention gave the rising heavyweight extra visibility at an early stage of his career. His wrestling pedigree and finishing ability continue to make him a prospect worth watching inside the heavyweight division. [edit]

Josh Hokit is portrayed in media as a powerful, athletic heavyweight with an unusual multi-sport backstory that sets him apart from typical MMA fighters. His content tone is straightforward and focused on training, fight preparation, and respect for his wrestling/football roots. He does not yet have an official fandom name, though supporters often reference his “Incredible Hok” nickname. Fan culture centers on appreciation for his finishing ability and crossover athleticism. His social media voice is relatively reserved and professional.[edit]

Josh Hokit has cultivated a distinct following centered around his moniker, "The Incredible Hok," a nickname that serves as the primary identifier for his community rather than an official collective noun. His supporters are defined by their appreciation for his unique crossover trajectory from college football and wrestling to the UFC heavyweight division, often debating his polarizing public moments alongside his athletic feats. While his fanbase engages actively on social media and MMA forums, they have not yet formed large-scale organized campaigns or charitable drives typical of pop culture icons. The community's attention is frequently split between celebrating his undefeated professional record and discussing the high-profile controversy surrounding his remarks at the White House event, which sparked intense national debate. This duality, respect for his physical prowess mixed with scrutiny of his controversial statements, creates a dynamic where fans are deeply invested in his every move, whether it is a fight finish or a media interview. Despite his rising profile and the attention drawn by former President Donald Trump calling him a favorite fighter, Josh Hokit does not currently hold a placement in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. Consequently, no numeric rank or score can be assigned to his current standing in the global hierarchy of fame.[edit]

Josh Hokit earned the nickname "The Incredible Hok" as a playful nod to his last name and the comic book character The Incredible Hulk. He stands out as one of the few athletes to reach high levels in college football, college wrestling, the NFL, and now the UFC. His 2020 wrestling All-American honor came in a season when the NCAA tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. He trains at JacksonWink MMA Academy, the same gym that produced several UFC champions. Former President Donald Trump once called him his favorite fighter and floated the idea of him fighting on a special White House event card. In June 2026, Hokit became the center of a massive cultural storm after making controversial remarks about former First Lady Michelle Obama during the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House. UFC President Dana White publicly condemned the comments as gross, while commentator Joe Rogan defended them as a smart move, creating a defining narrative that overshadowed his athletic achievements. By August 2026, he maintained a perfect 10-0 professional record, all within the UFC heavyweight division, which made him a prime target for established stars like Jamahal Hill.[edit]

Details about Josh Hokit's family remain limited in public records. He grew up in Clovis, California, and has kept his parents and any siblings out of the spotlight. Most coverage of his life stays focused on his athletic path rather than home life. He continues to list Fresno as his fight town, suggesting he still feels connected to the area where he first competed in high school and college sports. [edit]

Josh Hokit trained at JacksonWink MMA Academy and fought under the UFC and Bellator banners. He shares Fresno State ties with many other Bulldogs who moved on to pro careers. His path also crossed with opponents such as Max Gimenis and Derrick Lewis. Former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed him, which brought extra media coverage to his early UFC fights. [edit]

Public records and sports coverage contain almost no information about Josh Hokit's dating life. Major outlets that follow UFC fighters have not reported any confirmed girlfriends, engagements or marriages. He has kept his personal relationships private throughout his transition from football to mixed martial arts. As of 2026 his relationship status remains undisclosed, and he appears focused on building his career inside the octagon. [edit]

As of 2026 iFANN's editorial analysis places Josh Hokit's net worth at an estimated $1 Million. The bulk of that figure comes from his short NFL practice-squad deals with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals plus growing UFC fight purses. Early in his MMA career he earned money through Bellator bouts and a Dana White's Contender Series appearance that secured his UFC contract. Like most young heavyweights he also picks up sponsorship income and appearance fees that rise with each televised fight. Because his UFC run is still in its opening chapters, his earnings have not yet reached the levels of established stars. His college wrestling success and NFL background give him a solid foundation, but the real growth in his bank account will depend on how many pay-per-view cards he lands and whether he climbs the heavyweight rankings. He has not publicly discussed major business ventures or real estate holdings, so his wealth stays tied mainly to combat-sports salaries and related endorsements. Observers expect the number to increase steadily if he keeps winning and stays active through the late 2020s.[edit]

Josh Hokit earned NWCA Second-Team All-American honors in wrestling during the 2020 season while at Fresno State. That remains his most notable award to date. He has not yet collected UFC performance bonuses or major mixed martial arts titles. [edit]