Josh Hokit outlines two options for his next UFC appearance as he pushes toward the heavyweight title picture

Josh Hokit is treating the next step in his UFC heavyweight climb as more than just a matchmaking exercise. In the lead-up to whatever bout the promotion chooses next, Hokit has presented two suggestions for his next fight, framing the decision as something that should align with his momentum and the competitive direction of the division.

Hokit is 28 years old and entered the UFC only recently, making his promotional debut in November 2025. Since then, he has compiled a 4-0 record in UFC competition, a rare kind of early run for a heavyweight whose credibility is still being established in the sport’s most prominent stage.

Those early UFC results include victories over fellow UFC heavyweights Max Gimenis and Denzel …, according to the report previewing Hokit’s outlook. The win streak has mattered because heavyweight title contention is typically built through sustained, convincing performances, not one-off appearances, and Hokit’s early body of work places him in the conversation as more than a novelty act.

The bigger context is that Hokit’s two-suggestion approach highlights how contenders often think about the “why” behind a next fight. For a rising heavyweight, a good next matchup can accelerate ranking movement, increase exposure against a known benchmark, and clarify whether a fighter is being positioned for bigger opportunities. In Hokit’s case, the report portrays him as actively considering options that fit his trajectory rather than waiting passively for a call.

Still, the UFC’s schedule and matchmaking priorities are not solely decided by what any fighter wants. The promotion can factor in rankings, event planning, stylistic matchups, and other contenders’ readiness. So while Hokit’s comments provide a window into his thinking, the actual identity of his next opponent will depend on the UFC’s plans for the heavyweight division.

What to watch next is whether either of Hokit’s suggested targets becomes the type of opponent the UFC chooses to fast-track. If the promotion validates his preferences with a match-up that feels like a genuine step toward the upper tier, it would report that his early run is being treated as more than momentum. If not, Hokit’s response will still reveal a key truth about how top contenders navigate the heavyweight picture, where a single fight can change the temperature of a fighter’s title hopes.