Breakout UFC star Josh Hokit added to White House card after Trump request

TL;DR

Josh Hokit, a breakout UFC star, has been added to the White House card after a strong performance at UFC 327. He will face Derrick Lewis, who holds records for most finishes and knockouts in UFC history, following a request from President Trump.

The UFC has made a late addition to its historic White House card, after a breakout star performance at UFC 327 on Saturday night in Miami. Rising heavyweight contender Josh Hokit put on a show against Curtis Blaydes on the main card and has now earned a spot at the UFC Freedom 250 event.

Hokit will be facing off against Derrick Lewis, who holds the records for most finishes in the heavyweight division and most knockouts in UFC history (16).

UFC president Dana White announced the news on Saturday night, after Hokit racked up $200,000 in bonuses for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night. White revealed that the fight came together after President Donald Trump, who was in attendance, asked why Lewis wasn’t on the card.

MORE: UFC 327 results, Carlos Ulberg wins gold with stunning KO after knee injury

After Hokit’s performance, it was a perfect heavyweight banger for the White House.

“Hokit versus Derek Lewis was just added to the White House card in the last 10 minutes. President Trump built half of that fight, and [Joe Rogan] built the other half,” White revealed.

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“Both guys have accepted and agreed to the fight, so we’re adding one more to the White House. Hokit versus Derrick Lewis. Pretty badass how that played out organically during the fight.”

🚨 Dana White announced Josh Hokit vs Derrick Lewis just got added to the White House 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iFQXDJSrpo

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 12, 2026

UFC Freedom 250 is set to take place on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14. The event is currently headlined by a lightweight title fight between reigning champ Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, while former two-division champion Alex Pereira faces former interim heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane in the co-main event.

A look at the latest UFC Freedom 250 fight card can be seen below.

Latest UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card

Champion Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje – for lightweight title
Ciryl Gane vs. Alex Pereira – for vacant heavyweight title
Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Kyle Daukaus vs. Bo Nickal
Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Steve Garcia vs. Diego Lopes
Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis

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Q&A

What did Josh Hokit achieve at UFC 327?

Josh Hokit delivered an impressive performance at UFC 327, earning $200,000 in bonuses for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night.

Who will Josh Hokit fight at the UFC Freedom 250 event?

Josh Hokit will fight Derrick Lewis, who holds the records for the most finishes and knockouts in UFC history.

Why was Josh Hokit added to the White House card?

Josh Hokit was added to the White House card after President Trump requested to include Derrick Lewis, prompting UFC president Dana White to make the announcement.