Derrick Lewis vs. Josh Hokit prediction, odds, pick for UFC Freedom 250

We’re back with one other prediction and pick for UFC Freedom 250 because the Heavyweight Division takes center-stage from the South Lawn. UFC knockout king and No. 9-ranked Derrick Lewis takes on the rising and at all times exciting No. 5 Josh Hokit. Check our UFC odds series for the Lewis-Hokit prediction and pick.

Derrick Lewis (29-13) has gone 20-11 contained in the UFC since 2014 while notching 24 knockouts for the UFC’s most all-time. He most recently fell to Waldo Cortes-Acosta in January, but makes this appearance on special request from the president himself, hoping so as to add one other knockout to his resume. Lewis stands 6-foot-3 with a 79-inch reach.

Josh Hokit (9-0) is an ideal 3-0 through his first UFC appearances, most recently putting away top-ranked Curtis Blaydes within the leading ‘Fight of the Yr’ contender for 2026. Just two months later, Hokit will look for one more sensational performance on the White House with all of America watching. He stands 6-foot-1 with a 73.5-inch reach.

UFC Freedom 250 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Freedom 250 Odds: Derrick Lewis-Josh Hokit Odds

Derrick Lewis: +320

Josh Hokit: -410

Over 1.5 rounds: +154

Under 1.5 rounds: -200

Why Derrick Lewis Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Waldo Cortes-Acosta– TKO (ground-and-pound, R2)
• Last 5: 3-2
• Finishes: 24 KO/TKO, 1 SUB

Derrick Lewis got here into his last bout against Waldo Cortes-Acosta because the +260 betting underdog and it didn’t seem as if whatever game plan he had established would offer much resistance to his rising opponent. Lewis has looked a step slow against strong boxers with fast hands, but he’s way more comfortable knocking out fighters less mobile than himself like Tallison Teixeira and Rodrigo Nascimento most recently.

During this fight, Lewis can be tasked with the precise style he hates to see: an athletic big man with great movement and fast hands like Hokit. Still, Lewis has seen nearly every style of opponent available to him throughout his UFC tenure, so watch him to counter nonetheless as he swings for the fences in trying to find the knockout.

Lewis may even be very motivated to perform on this fight given his special invitation, so do not be surprised if he opens with a flying knee or tries playing possum to bait Hokit into letting his guards down. Either way, we must always get essentially the most exciting version of Derrick Lewis given the circumstances and no matter the chances or .

Why Josh Hokit Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Curtis Blaydes – U DEC
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 5 KO/TKO, 3 SUB

Josh Hokit put together among the finest heavyweight performances in recent memory along with his all-out war against Curtis Blaydes. Hokit landed 181 significant strikes and while Blaydes landed more with 218, it was clear Hokit had the heavier shots with more damage behind them. He took the whole lot Blaydes needed to throw at him and got here out on the opposite end ready for one more three rounds, a real testament to his pace and cardio on the feet.

During this fight, expect Hokit to bring that very same energy to Lewis as he’ll expect to placed on one other exciting performance. He’s clearly a showman at heart and can allow his opponent to get back within the fight, but Hokit is great for walking through punches and disregarding any look his opponent throws at him. It is a form of controlled chaos that no other fighter has been capable of work out until this point, making this fight all of the more interesting.

Despite the chances, Hokit will always be looking out for Derrick Lewis’ overhand right and watching any uppercuts when these two meet within the clinch. While Blaydes’ punches grew wary throughout Hokit’s last fight, Lewis’ punching power will remain consistent and dangerous throughout the entire fight. He’ll need to be rather more defensive this time around if he desires to avoid one other back-and-forth close decision.

Final Derrick Lewis-Josh Hokit Prediction & Pick

This fight can be tense throughout the opening moments as everyone can be waiting for Derrick Lewis to make the primary move. Nevertheless, that is Josh Hokit’s show and he’ll be the one pressuring Lewis and putting this knockout king on his back foot.

While Derrick Lewis will at all times stand a likelihood along with his all-time great knockout ability, he’s clearly struggled with this recent crop of versatile heavyweights with elite boxing skills. Josh Hokit represents exactly that after which some along with his D-I wrestling experience at Fresno State. His movement, speed, and most of all his cardio can be the most important threat to Derrick Lewis throughout this fight.

Confidently, we’ll back Josh Hokit to win this fight inside the gap. Derrick Lewis hasn’t put up much resistance when he’s on the ropes of being finished, but still do not be surprised if he fakes being hurt with a view to draw Hokit in. Hokit can be seeking to placed on a show as the whole goes over and he wins with a TKO finish late.

Final Derrick Lewis-Josh Hokit Prediction & Pick: Josh Hokit (-410); OVER 1.5 Rounds (-154)