Former NFL fullback and decorated collegiate wrestler Josh Hokit has successfully transitioned to the world of mixed martial arts, capping his impressive run with a decisive victory on Dana White’s Contender Series. On August 19, 2025, Hokit defeated Guilherme Uriel via TKO, extending his perfect professional record to 6-0 and likely punching his ticket to a UFC contract.
The heavyweight bout, held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, saw the 27-year-old Hokit showcase the skills that have made him a highly-touted prospect. Despite a significant weight disadvantage, weighing in at 229.5 pounds to Uriel’s 249.5, Hokit imposed his will. The end came at 1:06 of the second round when he finished Uriel with a series of powerful elbows, marking his sixth consecutive stoppage victory. According to records from Sherdog, his six wins are now evenly split between three knockouts and three submissions, demonstrating a well-rounded and dangerous offensive arsenal.
Hokit’s journey to the octagon is a testament to his elite athletic background. Before turning his attention to MMA, he pursued a career in professional football. After going unselected in the 2020 NFL draft, the Fresno State standout was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Francisco 49ers. He spent two years on the team’s practice squad from 2020 to 2022 before a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals in August 2022, as detailed on his Wikipedia page.
While his NFL career was spent on the fringes, his collegiate career at Fresno State was nothing short of dominant, particularly on the wrestling mat. A true two-sport athlete, Hokit excelled in both football and wrestling. He became a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler for the Bulldogs, the university’s first since 2003. In 2019, he finished fifth in the nation at 197 pounds and was a 2020 NWCA Second-Team All-American selection. This high-level wrestling pedigree provided a formidable foundation for his transition to MMA.
Dubbed “The Incredible Hok,” he made his professional MMA debut on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300, winning via a third-round submission. He quickly built his resume with another win in Bellator before moving to the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), where he secured three consecutive first-round finishes in 2025. This rapid ascent and unblemished record earned him the opportunity to compete for a UFC contract on the Contender Series.
Hokit, who trains at the renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy, follows in the footsteps of other former football players like Greg Hardy and Austen Lane who have crossed over into MMA. However, his extensive and decorated wrestling background sets him apart, providing a grappling prowess that has so far proven unstoppable. His victory over Uriel was not just another win; it was a statement to the UFC’s heavyweight division that a new, powerful, and technically skilled contender has arrived. As he moves from the gridiron to the global stage of the UFC, Josh Hokit’s career enters its most exciting chapter yet.
