Alex Pereira claims he could have slapped Josh Hokit: ‘I know how to keep my cool’

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Josh Hokit should consider himself lucky he’s been dealing with someone as calm and level-headed as Alex Pereira.

Despite having a different opponent lined up at UFC Freedom 250, ‘The Incredible Hok’ kept his focus on Pereira, firing off a steady stream of verbal jabs in the lead-up to the event.

Even before Hokit knocked out Derrick Lewis and Pereira lost to Ciryl Gane, the American had been vocal, throwing plenty of insults Poatan’s way ahead of the UFC White House event. That led to a couple of in-person altercations, but the Brazilian never let Hokit’s insults draw out a physical reaction.

While Pereira is known for staying calm under pressure, Hokit put that reputation to the test during the UFC Freedom 250 press conferences in Newark and Washington, DC.

At one point, Ilia Topuria even stepped in to defend Pereira, clearly annoyed by Hokit’s comments. And when fight week rolled around ahead of the White House event on June 14, it was more of the same. Hokit continued with his verbal jabs, but Pereira didn’t react.

Pereira responds to Hokit’s pre-UFC Freedom 250 antics

Pereira spoke about Hokit’s behaviour recently and said he could have responded physically if he wanted to.

“I expressed myself since the beginning. It doesn’t matter to me. My contract is signed with the UFC. Whoever they put to fight me, I’m gonna fight,” Pereira said on The Ariel Helwani Show when asked if he could face Hokit next.

“I know how to keep my cool, keep my mind in a cool spot. I am not that type of guy. I had my opportunities.

“People talk about the press conference, but nobody was on top of me on the day. If I wanted to, I could have just slapped him on the face, kicked him in the head, do whatever I wanted,” he added.

Pereira’s next steps after UFC Freedom 250 loss

Pereira plans to appeal his loss to Gane and claims Herb Dean failed to notice multiple punches he considered illegal strikes during their bout at UFC Freedom 250.

A rematch between Pereira and Gane doesn’t seem likely, though, as there are already talks of a unification bout between Gane and champion Tom Aspinall later this year.

If that fight goes ahead as planned, it would leave space for a grudge match between Pereira and Hokit, given how strong their history has become leading up until now, following Hokit calling out Brazilian after last Sunday’s event.