Josh Hokit blasted a rumored Alex Pereira-Ciryl Gane rematch, saying on X that Pereira should not get another heavyweight title shot after being "demolished" in their first fight.
The backlash centers on Pereira's standing at heavyweight: Hokit argued the former middleweight and light heavyweight champion is still winless in the division and should first beat contenders such as Sergei Pavlovich.
Hokit widened the criticism to UFC matchmaking, saying neither Pereira nor Ilia Topuria deserves an immediate title opportunity after recent decisive losses and that both should "earn" their way back.
UFC's logic appears commercial rather than merit-based: Pereira remains a major draw, and a Gane rematch could headline a numbered event before the 39-year-old Brazilian's star power fades.