UFC Fighter Josh Hokit to Compete Without Legendary Coach

Hokit's coach Greg Jackson will not be in his corner for the upcoming UFC White House fight due to 'personal reasons'.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:41pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a UFC fighter in mid-action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the fragmented and uncertain nature of Hokit's preparation for his upcoming fight without his longtime coach.The absence of legendary coach Greg Jackson from Josh Hokit's corner raises questions about the fighter's preparation for his high-stakes UFC White House bout.Albuquerque Today

UFC heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit is preparing for the biggest fight of his career at the upcoming UFC White House event, but he'll be doing so without his renowned coach Greg Jackson in his corner. Hokit, who has quickly risen to become a top-five heavyweight with only nine professional fights, revealed on social media that Jackson will not be coaching him for personal reasons, leaving Hokit without a coach for the high-profile bout against Derrick Lewis.

Why it matters

Greg Jackson is one of the most respected and successful MMA coaches in the sport, having trained numerous UFC champions over the years including Jon Jones and Holly Holm. His absence from Hokit's corner for such a pivotal fight raises questions about the nature of their split and the potential impact it could have on Hokit's performance against a tough opponent like Derrick Lewis.

The details

Hokit, a former NFL player whose transition to MMA has been met with mixed reactions, broke into the top five heavyweight rankings after his recent win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327. The UFC White House fight was put together after President Donald Trump and Joe Rogan pushed Dana White to add the bout to the card during cageside discussions at UFC 327. However, Hokit revealed on social media that his longtime coach Greg Jackson will not be in his corner for personal reasons, leaving the rising heavyweight without one of the sport's most respected coaches in his corner for the high-stakes fight.

  • Hokit defeated Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327.
  • The UFC White House fight was announced after UFC 327.
  • Hokit revealed Jackson will not be in his corner on Friday night.

The players

Josh Hokit

A UFC heavyweight fighter who has quickly risen to become a top-five ranked fighter with only nine professional fights, known for his successful transition from the NFL to MMA.

Greg Jackson

A legendary MMA coach who has trained numerous UFC champions, including Jon Jones and Holly Holm, and has worked with Hokit at his renowned Albuquerque gym.

Derrick Lewis

Hokit's opponent for the upcoming UFC White House fight, a top heavyweight contender.

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What they’re saying

“My coach Greg Jackson will not be coaching me on the White House fight for personal reasons... I don't have a coach now... Will the ring girls corner me please? Tag them for me.”

— Josh Hokit, UFC Fighter

What’s next

The UFC has not provided any additional details on the reasons behind Greg Jackson's absence from Hokit's corner for the upcoming fight. It remains to be seen how Hokit will perform without his legendary coach in his corner against a tough opponent like Derrick Lewis.

The takeaway

Hokit's upcoming UFC White House fight without his longtime coach Greg Jackson raises questions about the stability of his training camp and the potential impact it could have on his performance against a top heavyweight contender like Derrick Lewis. The absence of such a respected and successful coach could be a significant disadvantage for the rising fighter.