Chael Sonnen shares boldest of Josh Hokit predictions

Chael Sonnen is already touting Josh Hokit as a future UFC champion.

Hokit (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) remained unbeaten when he outlasted perennial heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 earlier this month, where he earned two bonuses.

His performance left such an impression on Sonnen, who went as far as predicting that the 28-year-old will become champion by the end of the year.

"At the end of 2026, Josh Hokit will be the UFC heavyweight champion," Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. "Now, how do we get there? It's very unclear right now if Tom (Aspinall) is going to fight or not. I am a Tom supporter. I only know what I'm told. Tom is now paying Eddie Hearn for his advice. Tom wants Eddie's advice and he values his advice so much that he's willing to pay for it.

"Eddie's advice, publicly to Tom, is: Don't fight. That is a tremendous problem. ... So what is Tom going to do? If I'm putting the belt, by the end of the year, around Hokit, I understand that Tom holds it and Alex Pereira is going to have the first crack at that. It's an interesting spot for how do we even get the matches done. But if we do in fact, get the matches done, 'Hokster' is going to be the heavyweight champion."

Hokit was immediately booked for his next fight after defeating Blaydes. Hokit meets former title challenger Derrick Lewis (29-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC) at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House in Washington.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst drops heavyweight title prediction bombshell