UFC 334 Preview: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit at Madison Square Garden
- Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City
- Early Prelims: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
- Prelims: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Main Card: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
Fight Lineup
Main Card (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
- Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit (Heavyweight Championship)
- Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes (Women's Bantamweight Championship)
- Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui (Middleweight)
- Uro61 Medi07 vs. Kevin Holland (Welterweight)
- Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule (Flyweight)
Prelims (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)
- Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke (Welterweight)
- Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
- Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney (Lightweight)
- Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida (Middleweight)
Early Prelims (5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT)
- Jared Gordon vs. Melquizael Costa (Lightweight)
- Macy Chiasson vs. Bia Mesquita (Women’s Bantamweight)
- Alatengheili vs. Juan Diaz (Bantamweight)
- Evan Elder vs. Samuel Sanches (Lightweight)
Main Event Analysis: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit
This heavyweight title bout pairs a seasoned tactician, Ciryl Gane, against an undefeated upstart, Josh Hokit, whose speed and power have caught the division's attention.
Tale of the Tape
- Pro Record: Gane 14-2-1 NC | Hokit 10-0
- Age: Gane 36 | Hokit 28
- Height: Gane 6'4" | Hokit 6'1"
- Reach: Gane 81" | Hokit 73"
- Stance: Both Orthodox
- Last Fight Result: Gane TKO win over Alex Pereira (Interim Heavyweight Title) | Hokit TKO win over Derrick Lewis
Ciryl Gane
Gane's defense and footwork rank among the best heavyweights ever. Official UFC stats show he hasn't lost a stand-up round based purely on striking inside the promotion, holding a 35-0 record in such rounds. His ability to control distance is likely to challenge the shorter Hokit. Gane's last win against Alex Pereira highlighted his skill neutralizing pressure fighters.
Still, Gane has a history of accidental fouls, including eye pokes and strikes to the back of the head, sparking debate about his close-range conduct. He dismisses these claims as critics struggling with his success.
His grappling defense has been questioned after losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, especially the first-round guillotine submission by Jones. Unless Hokit's submission game has improved significantly since a shaky armbar attempt against Derrick Lewis, Gane probably won't face much threat there. His plan will be to maintain distance and avoid messy scrambles where Hokit excels.
Josh Hokit
Hokit is still fresh in the UFC, only a year past his debut but unbeaten at 10-0 with six knockouts. The former Fresno State wrestler and ex-NFL practice squad player brings speed and agility rare for a heavyweight, though he faces a big reach disadvantage against Gane.
His recent win over knockout leader Derrick Lewis showcased his stamina, athleticism, and toughness under pressure. That fight at UFC Freedom 250, held at the White House, proved he can perform on big stages.
Still, Gane is a higher-level opponent than Lewis, so this bout will reveal more about Hokit's readiness. His best chance lies in closing the gap, turning it into a brawl, and testing Gane's durability—a question raised when Gane was knocked down by Tai Tuivasa in 2022.
If Hokit can force grappling exchanges or clinch battles, his wrestling background could disrupt Gane’s rhythm. But if Gane keeps control with his jab and movement, Hokit might struggle to land meaningful shots over five rounds.
Hokit's aggressive style makes him a dangerous underdog—one punch could change the fight entirely in this division.
