Josh Hokit admits White House armbar attempt wasn't serious

Josh Hokit has confirmed what many suspected: the armbar he slapped on Derrick Lewis at UFC White House was never meant to finish the fight.

The heavyweight told fans he was playing around during the June bout on the South Lawn, according to MMA Mania. 'God forbid someone has a little fun,' Hokit said when questioned about the sequence that had observers scratching their heads.

Hokit's White House performance draws criticism

The moment came during Hokit's bout with Lewis at the first-ever UFC event held at the executive mansion. Video showed Hokit attempting the submission with what appeared to be minimal commitment, leading to speculation he was showboating rather than hunting a tap.

Hokit has since made it clear the armbar was more about entertainment than a serious finish attempt. The admission follows earlier controversy surrounding his conduct at the event, where his antics drew mixed reactions from fans and media.

Hokit is targeting two more fights before the end of 2026, per the same report.

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — Josh Hokit admits he wasn’t really trying to armbar Derrick Lewis at UFC White House: ‘God forbid someone has a little fun’ | MMA Mania