WASHINGTON – Josh Hokit was in the midst of post-fight medical care when the UFC announced his fight vs. Derrick Lewis for the White House event.
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To UFC Freedom 250 opponent Derrick Lewis, that sounds like a vital miscalculation. After all, it's only been 64 days since Hokit (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) absorbed 214 strikes (174 significant) at UFC 327 in an all-time heavyweight war against Curtis Blaydes.
"I believe so," Lewis told MMA Junkie on Friday. "He had to have some time off. I don't care how. Even if he wanted to fight a couple of seconds, I still believe your body and your brain still need time off. I believe he's making a mistake."
Conversely, Lewis (29-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC) took his time to recover after what was an uninspiring performance in defeat to Waldo Cortes-Acosta in January. Lewis said he was pushing almost 300 pounds in the lead-up to the bout.
"I brushed it off," Lewis said. "I know the reason why I lost that fight is because I had a back injury. I couldn't move the whole fight. I know that's the reason."
So will Hokit continue his momentum? Or will Lewis return to prime form and deliver a savage "Black Beast" knockout? Sunday, the world will find out when the two heavyweights throw down on the South Lawn.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Derrick Lewis: Josh Hokit making mistake by quick UFC Freedom 250 turnaround