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Brett Okamoto
multiple authors
UFC adds all-time knockout leader derrick lewis for its summer card at the White House, and according to UFC CEO Dana White, the move was requested by President Donald Trump.
Lewis will fight josh hokit White made the announcement on Saturday, moments after defeating Hockit in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Freedom Fights 250 on June 14. curtis blades In a back-and-forth decision at UFC 327 in Miami.
According to White, Trump, who was in attendance at the Cassia Center, asked earlier in the evening why Lewis was not fighting on the White House card. After the Hokit fight on Saturday, White decided to make the matchup.
“I’m sure you guys saw the Hokit fight,” White said. “About an hour ago, the President leaned over to me and said, ‘Why isn’t Derrick Lewis on the White House card?’ And I said, ‘Wait, Mr. President.’ I walked away and called Derrick Lewis and said, ‘Derrick, the President just asked why you’re not on the card. Do you want to fight on the White House card?’ He said, ‘Of course.’
White said he spoke to Hockitt after the win over Blaydes and immediately pushed for Hockitt-Lewis to fight on the White House card.
Lewis was a glaring omission from the UFC Freedom Fights 250 announcement in March. Trump is a well-known fan of the Houston-based heavyweight and famously called to congratulate him after a fight in July. Lewis is a former UFC title challenger coming off a knockout loss Waldo Cortes-Acosta In January. Lewis holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history with 16.
Hockitt, California, is 3-0 since signing with the UFC in 2025.
