UFC White House star Josh Hokit removed by security after stunning press conference tirade

Hokit said of Pereira: “I come to devour, you will know the day, you will know the hour [...] I’m not just gonna win, I’m gonna p*** on him.

“This guy’s the baddest man on the planet? Look at how I speak to him – like my dog, like my b***ch. F*** you, what you gonna do? He ain’t gonna do s***.”

The Brazilian, 38, responded via a translator: “You know, I have nothing to say about this guy. Listen, we were doing an interview earlier, this guy just goes right by me, starts saying things. I looked at him in his eye [...] Why didn’t he do anything when I was there?”

Hokit continued to taunt Pereira, irritating Topuria, who proceeded to trade “f*** you”s with the American. Ultimately, the Georgian-Spaniard lost patience with Hokit and threw the contents of a bottle at him, as well as a microphone, the latter of which appeared to strike Hokit in the head.

Left to right: Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, President Trump, Justin Gaethje and Ciryl Gane (Getty)

Hokit was then removed from the stage by security, and White concluded the press conference, which was playing out in New Jersey, where UFC 328 takes place on Saturday.

On Thursday, the UFC 328 press conference ended with Khamzat Chimaev kicking Sean Strickland, ahead of their main-event grudge match. Chimaev will defend the middleweight title against the American, who is an ex-champion and a former training partner of the Russian.

Earlier in the week, Topuria, Pereira, Gaethje and Gane visited Mr Trump in the Oval Office. There, Topuria teased the president by asking why he had facilitated his match-up with Gaethje, who is a friend of Mr Trump but also a clear underdog against Topuria.