Josh Hokit, once considered a promising heavyweight prospect within PFL, ultimately decided to depart the organization after participating in only a single bout following the merger with Bellator.
“They essentially simplified the decision,” Hokit explained. “They were in the process of renegotiating everyone`s contracts. I was competing for a higher pay rate, and they presented a new contract that offered less money. At that point, I didn`t believe it was worthwhile, especially since I had only fought twice over two years. I was keen on being significantly more active than that.”
He continued, “I felt the best course of action was to pursue opportunities elsewhere, even if it meant accepting a pay cut. My primary concern right now is remaining active.”
Hokit (4-0) has certainly achieved that increased activity. In 2025 alone with LFA, he has already competed as many times as he did throughout his entire tenure with both PFL and Bellator combined. The undefeated 4-0 heavyweight is scheduled for his third fight of 2025 this Friday, facing Eric Lunsford at LFA 208.
According to the fighter, the contract renegotiation with PFL presented a substantial difference in compensation from his previous terms. However, he suggests he might have chosen to leave regardless of the pay discrepancy.
“It amounted to roughly a $20,000 difference,” Hokit stated. “I just thought, it’s not even beneficial at this stage. At this point in my career, I desperately need more experience. While I`m unsure of their exact intentions, it seemed they were planning to throw me directly into high-level competition right away, and for less money. I decided I would rather go elsewhere, build my experience, and ascend the ranks that way. I genuinely feel that was a superior choice and situation for me.”
He elaborated, “I suspect they intended to include me in the tournament. I thought, I`ve only had about two fights, and I`m not sure that`s the wisest move. So, ultimately, I concluded I needed to go elsewhere, gain more experience, and work my way up.”
“Initially [after the merger], they appeared interested in retaining me,” Hokit recounted. “My contract simply expired within a year and a half, and I had only fought twice during that period. I believe the contract was naturally ending. They gave the impression they wanted to keep me, and I was also discussing the possibility of fighting in other organizations to gain experience while still competing for PFL. They seemed open to that, but the entire situation with PFL and the Bellator integration simply turned me off.”
“I started questioning my motivation,” he reflected. “Why am I even fighting in the first place? I`m not fighting to become PFL champion. My goal is to be UFC champion. That`s the ultimate objective for me: to be in the UFC.”
Before his MMA career, Hokit was a successful college football and wrestling athlete. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. Following an inconsistent two-year period with the 49ers, he briefly signed with the Arizona Cardinals for just five days before being waived, effectively ending his football aspirations.
The 27-year-old transitioned to mixed martial arts and has achieved significant early success. Hokit believes his upcoming fight this Friday has a strong possibility of being his last outside of the TKO/UFC organizational structure.
“I have already signed a contract for Dana White`s Contender Series in August,” Hokit revealed. “I`m undertaking this current fight purely to gain more experience. I understand how the UFC landscape is structured today. Fighters entering the UFC are already prepared; they possess experience from various parts of the world and other relevant backgrounds. They are ready to be considered contenders, and that`s the perspective I`m adopting.”
“The heavyweight division differs slightly,” he noted, “in that there isn`t as much… how can I phrase it… the heavyweight division isn`t as deep in terms of skill compared to divisions like 145 pounds.”
“Consequently, I feel confident that with my current skill set, I can compete effectively with those fighters and, in my opinion, ultimately defeat them all. I believe that after securing this upcoming win, reaching five victories, I won`t necessarily require additional fights – more fights are always beneficial, but I don`t feel compelled to take any more than necessary. I am confident I am ready for the Contender Series and whatever opportunities arise afterward.”