Promising heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit decided to depart from the PFL following the promotion`s merger with Bellator, having competed just once since the integration. Hokit explained that the decision was “kind of made easy” by the PFL.
After the merger, the promotion renegotiated contracts, and his new offer was for less money than he was previously earning. He also cited a lack of activity, having fought only twice in two years, stating he desired a much busier schedule. He concluded that moving elsewhere and accepting a pay cut was the best course of action, prioritizing activity above all else at this stage.
Hokit specified the pay difference was around $20,000, which he felt wasn`t worth it. He felt he needed more experience at this stage and perceived that PFL was preparing to put him in challenging fights (“throw me in the fire”) for less pay. This reinforced his decision to seek opportunities elsewhere to gain experience and advance his career progressively.
He believed PFL intended to place him in their tournament despite having only two professional fights, which he didn`t feel was the optimal path. This further solidified his desire to leave, gain more experience, and build his career gradually.
True to his goal, Hokit (4-0) has indeed been more active, already fighting as many times in 2025 for LFA as he did during his entire PFL/Bellator tenure. The undefeated heavyweight is scheduled for his third fight of 2025 this Friday at LFA 208 against Eric Lunsford.
The undefeated fighter emphasized the significant difference in pay under the proposed new PFL contract but suggested he might have left regardless. Initially during the merger, he felt PFL wanted to retain him. He believes his contract naturally ended after 1.5 years, during which he fought twice. He had even discussed fighting in other promotions for experience while remaining signed with PFL, and they seemed receptive. However, the overall situation with the PFL-Bellator integration ultimately discouraged him.
He reflected on his core motivation, stating he isn`t fighting to become a PFL champion but rather a UFC champion. His ultimate goal is to compete in the UFC.
Hokit`s athletic background includes being a college standout in both football and wrestling. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2020, had an intermittent two-year period with the team, and briefly signed with the Arizona Cardinals for five days before his football career concluded.
The 27-year-old successfully transitioned to mixed martial arts, achieving early success. He indicated that his upcoming fight this Friday is highly likely to be his last outside the TKO/UFC sphere.
Hokit revealed he has already signed a contract for Dana White`s Contender Series (DWCS) in August. He views his current LFA fight primarily as an opportunity to gain additional experience, recognizing that fighters entering the UFC system today often possess extensive experience from various global promotions. He commented on the heavyweight division specifically, noting it isn`t as deep or arguably as technically skilled as lighter weight classes like the 145-pound division.
Hokit expressed confidence in his current skillset, believing he can compete with and potentially defeat fighters in the heavyweight division. With a win this Friday, he`ll reach 5 wins, which he feels is sufficient experience. While acknowledging that more fights are always beneficial, he believes he is ready for the Contender Series and whatever opportunities follow.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham