Dana White breaks off with 'shut up' as he says Josh Hokit 'has definitely walked the walk'

Asked if he was surprised Hokit is fighting for the heavyweight title after admitting he disliked some of his comments, the UFC boss said he "deserves to be here" as Hokit laughed beside him.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Fri 13 Nov, 01:31 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Dana White at the UFC 334 press conference podium between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit — Photo: UFC 334 press conference

Dana White broke off an answer about Josh Hokit to say "shut up" at the UFC 334 press conference in New York on Thursday, then said Hokit "has definitely walked the walk" on his way to a heavyweight title shot.

In a final question for White, a reporter reminded the UFC CEO that he had admitted he did not like some of Hokit's comments, and asked whether he was surprised Hokit was now at Madison Square Garden fighting for a heavyweight title.

"Am I surprised he's here? Listen, he made it," White said. He began "it's one thing to talk", stopped to say "shut up", and started again: "It's one thing to talk, it's another thing to come out and prove it. You know, he has definitely walked the walk and he deserves to be here, whether you like what he says or don't like what he says."

White did not say who the "shut up" was meant for. Hokit, sitting to his left on the stage, laughed after the "shut up", and White handed over to the next reporter with "Thank you, thank you. Go ahead."

White has said he may have put tough opponents in front of Hokit because he did not like things the heavyweight said, and that Hokit passed every test on the way to the title shot.

Hokit challenges Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The main card starts at 2am UK time on Sunday on TNT Sports.

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Josh Hokit Ciryl Gane