Greg Jackson skips UFC White House for Hokit, Garcia bouts
Greg Jackson will not corner either Josh Hokit or Steve Garcia at UFC White House on June 14, with both Jackson-Wink MMA fighters losing their primary coach for the historic South Lawn card.
Hokit broke the news on social media after his booking against Derrick Lewis was finalized, citing “personal reasons” for Jackson’s absence. Per the Albuquerque Journal, Jackson confirmed via text he would skip both bouts but declined to elaborate on the reason. His longtime partner Mike Winkeljohn told Submission Radio the issue involves “family issues,” adding there was “no need to talk about it.”
Winkeljohn confirms Jackson’s game plan in place
Winkeljohn said Jackson has already mapped out strategy for both fights despite his planned absence. “Greg’s got a few things going on, so correct, Greg won’t be there,” Winkeljohn said. “Everyday we’re already game planning what to do with him. Everything is straight that way. We’ve already got a good plan of what Derrick does and Greg’s kind of broken down a lot of things.”
Hokit vaulted into the heavyweight rankings with a back-and-forth decision over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 on April 11, earning immediate Fight of the Year buzz in just his third UFC appearance. President Trump watched cageside in Miami and requested Lewis for the White House event, prompting Dana White to book the undefeated Hokit on the spot.
Garcia brings a seven-fight UFC win streak into his featherweight clash with Diego Lopes, having stopped six of those opponents including a first-round finish of David Onama at UFC Fight Night 263 in November. The White House card falls on Trump’s birthday as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Original reporting:
- mmafighting.com — Morning Report: Josh Hokit coach confirms Greg Jackson’s absence for UFC White House fight | MMA Fighting
- sherdog.com — Renowned Jackson-Wink coach won’t corner Hokit, Garcia at UFC White House