UFC 334: Headlined By Heavyweights Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit in Madison Square Garden

UFC 334: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit in a Bout Featuring Heavyweight Gold, Big Personalities and Plenty of Controversy

By Joshua Weiss | October 31, 2026

The UFC is heading back to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 14th for UFC 334, and the headline matchup has all the ingredients of a major heavyweight showdown. French technical specialist Ciryl Gane will defend the undisputed heavyweight championship against undefeated American contender Josh Hokit, a former collegiate wrestler and professional football hopeful who has become one of the most polarizing personalities in the sport.

The card also features a potentially historic women’s bantamweight championship fight, as Kayla Harrison faces returning MMA legend Amanda Nunes. Add the personalities, the championship implications and the controversies surrounding several fighters, and the UFC has plenty of material to sell this event. But there is a difference between a great promotional poster and a verified fight card. And considering how frequently UFC matchups change, it is worth separating confirmed information from reported or previously advertised bouts.

The Main Event: Champion Cyril Gane vs. Josh Hokit

Ciryl Gane, nicknamed “Bon Gamin,” which translates roughly to “Good Kid,” is one of the most technically gifted heavyweights to compete in the UFC. Born in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, Gane did not follow the traditional path into professional fighting. Before becoming a mixed martial artist, he worked selling luxury furniture and eventually discovered Muay Thai.

He became a two time French Muay Thai champion before transitioning into MMA in 2018. His striking background gave him an unusual advantage in the heavyweight division. Rather than relying exclusively on brute strength and knockout power, Gane uses movement, distance management, footwork, kicks and combinations to frustrate opponents.

At 6’4″ with an 81 inch reach, he moves more like a middleweight than a heavyweight. He is comfortable fighting at range, circling away from power punches and forcing larger opponents to chase him. His professional record stands at 14-2 with one no contest. Seven of his victories have come by knockout or TKO, three by submission and four by decision.

Some of Gane’s Biggest Fights and Career Moments:

• Derrick Lewis, UFC 265 (2021): Gane defeated Lewis by third-round TKO to capture the interim heavyweight championship. It was a dominant performance that established him as one of the division’s elite fighters.

• Francis Ngannou, UFC 270 (2022): Gane suffered his first professional loss, dropping a unanimous decision to Ngannou in an undisputed heavyweight championship fight. Ngannou surprised many people by relying heavily on wrestling rather than simply trying to knock Gane out.

• Tai Tuivasa, UFC Fight Night (2022): Gane survived a dangerous third-round knockdown and came back to stop Tuivasa by TKO. It was one of the more entertaining heavyweight fights of the year.

• Jon Jones, UFC 285 (2023): Gane was submitted by Jones via guillotine choke in the first round while fighting for the vacant heavyweight championship. It was a disappointing night for Gane, who appeared unprepared for Jones’ grappling.

• Sergei Spivac, UFC Fight Night (2023): Gane bounced back with a second-round TKO.

• Alexander Volkov, UFC 310 (2024): Gane earned a split-decision victory in a competitive rematch.

• Tom Aspinall, UFC 321 (2025): The fight ended in a no-contest after repeated eye pokes left Aspinall unable to continue.

• Alex Pereira, UFC Freedom 250 (June 14, 2026): Gane stopped Pereira by second-round TKO at 1:27, capturing the interim heavyweight championship. He was subsequently elevated to undisputed champion after Aspinall vacated the belt.

The Tom Aspinall Controversy

This is an important part of Gane’s current championship story. At UFC 321 in October 2025, Gane fought Tom Aspinall in what was supposed to be a major heavyweight championship showdown. However, the fight became controversial after Gane repeatedly poked Aspinall in the eyes.

Aspinall was unable to continue, and the bout was declared a no-contest. What made the situation particularly concerning was that Aspinall subsequently experienced ongoing eye problems that interfered with his ability to compete. He eventually announced that he was vacating the heavyweight championship in September 2026 after further complications, including reinjuring his right eye while preparing for an anticipated rematch.

Gane has also faced accusations following his fight with Alex Pereira, with Pereira’s corner questioning whether some strikes landed illegally toward the back of the head. These incidents have created a cloud over Gane’s championship reign. The eye-poke controversy is especially significant because it directly contributed to the circumstances that eventually left the heavyweight championship vacant. Gane is undeniably talented, but his first undisputed title defense comes with some baggage.

Is Gane Really the Undisputed Champion?

There is an important difference between being awarded a championship and winning it in the Octagon. Gane’s promotion to undisputed champion came after Tom Aspinall vacated the title because of continuing complications from the eye injury suffered during their October 2025 fight.

That fight ended in a no contest after Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in the eyes. Aspinall could not continue, and the referee stopped the contest. Aspinall subsequently experienced ongoing problems with his vision and reinjured his right eye while preparing for a potential rematch.

Gane then defeated Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026, earning the interim championship before being elevated to undisputed champion. This has created an unusual situation: Gane is the recognized champion, but he has not defeated Aspinall to settle their rivalry.

There is also a separate controversy involving Pereira’s knockout loss. Newly released footage from Pereira’s corner showed his coach shouting that Gane was hitting the back of Pereira’s head during the finishing sequence. Pereira’s camp questioned referee Herb Dean’s handling of the situation.

There has been no official reversal of the result, and Gane remains the champion. The controversy is nevertheless relevant because Gane enters UFC 334 with questions surrounding two consecutive major championship fights.

Josh Hokit: The Undefeated Heavyweight With a WWE Sized Personality

If Gane represents the polished, technical side of heavyweight MMA, Josh Hokit represents something considerably louder. The 6’1″ 28 year old Nicknamed “The Incredible Hok,” has become one of the UFC’s most talked-about personalities. He is brash, theatrical, constantly trash talking and seemingly determined to make himself impossible to ignore. Hokit is 10-0 and undefeated. But underneath the showmanship is a legitimate athletic background.

Hokit grew up in Bakersfield, California, where he developed into an accomplished wrestler. He won a California state wrestling championship in high school and competed at Fresno State, earning All-American honors during his collegiate career. He also pursued professional football, spending time on the practice squads of the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals. After his football career stalled, he transitioned into MMA and made his professional debut in 2023.

His wrestling background is particularly important in this matchup. Unlike some heavyweight prospects who rely almost entirely on knockout power, Hokit has the athletic foundation to potentially take opponents down and control them on the ground. According to UFC statistics, he has six knockout victories and three submission victories among his ten professional wins, with an undefeated record.

Hokit’s Rise Through the UFC:

• Dana White’s Contender Series (August 2025): Hokit earned his UFC contract with a knockout performance.

• Denzel Freeman (January 2026): Hokit continued his winning streak with another impressive performance.

• Curtis Blaydes (UFC 327): Hokit scored a major victory over the established heavyweight contender in a fight that helped put him on the map. The matchup earned significant attention and performance bonuses.

• Derrick Lewis (UFC Freedom 250, June 2026): Hokit stopped the heavyweight knockout artist by TKO, earning the biggest victory of his career to that point.

His victory over Lewis was particularly important. Lewis is one of the most dangerous knockout punchers in UFC heavyweight history. Beating him gave Hokit credibility beyond the entertainment value of his personality. Hokit has gone from Contender Series prospect to heavyweight title challenger in remarkably little time.

Hokit’s Controversies: When Trash Talk Goes Too Far

Hokit has generated considerable controversy, and not all of it has to do with fighting. His WWE style personality has made him a polarizing figure. Some fans enjoy the entertainment, while others believe his behavior is obnoxious and disrespectful. The biggest controversy came after his victory over Derrick Lewis at the UFC’s White House event in June.

During his post fight interview, Hokit praised President Donald Trump and then shouted an insult targeting former first lady Michelle Obama, repeating a common conspiracy theory about her sex, and that she was actually a transgender man. The comments attracted considerable criticism and media attention.

There was also an earlier incident at a UFC press conference in May 2026. Hokit began directing insults toward Alex Pereira, prompting lightweight champion Ilia Topuria to intervene. The verbal confrontation escalated, Topuria stood up and threw an object toward Hokit, and security eventually escorted Hokit out of the press conference.

UFC president Dana White expressed frustration with the incident. Hokit subsequently continued discussing the confrontation publicly. Even heavyweight legend Stipe Miocic weighed in on Hokit’s personality. Miocic essentially described it as a promotional act, saying it was not his own style and suggesting Hokit could sometimes be too much. There is an interesting contrast here: Hokit is clearly using a professional wrestling style persona to generate attention, but the UFC is a sport where opponents eventually have to settle things inside the cage.

What Makes Gane vs. Hokit Interesting?

This is a fascinating clash of styles. Gane has the experience, reach, technical striking and championship pedigree. He has competed against some of the most accomplished heavyweights in MMA history. Hokit has youth, momentum, wrestling credentials, an undefeated record and a willingness to make fights uncomfortable.

The biggest question is whether Hokit can get Gane out of his comfort zone. Gane is excellent at maintaining distance and punishing opponents who rush forward. Hokit will need to avoid walking into Gane’s combinations and find opportunities to use his wrestling. If Hokit can take Gane down and make him work, he could expose one of the champion’s historical weaknesses. Jones demonstrated how vulnerable Gane can be when an elite grappler gets him into trouble.

But if this becomes a kickboxing match, Gane has a substantial technical advantage. His experience against Ngannou, Jones, Aspinall, Volkov and Pereira is a level of competition Hokit simply hasn’t encountered before. The other question is how Hokit handles a five-round championship fight. He has never faced a challenge of this magnitude. The stakes: Gane is trying to establish legitimacy as the undisputed champion. Hokit is attempting to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent heavyweight history.

The Co-Main Event: Champion Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes

This might actually be the most historically significant fight on the entire card. Kayla Harrison (19-1) is the reigning women’s bantamweight champion and a two time Olympic gold medalist in judo. She won Olympic gold in 2012 in London and again in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Before joining the UFC, Harrison established herself as one of the dominant fighters in the Professional Fighters League, winning its women’s lightweight tournament twice.

She made her UFC debut at UFC 300 in April 2024, submitting former champion Holly Holm. She followed that performance with a victory over Ketlen Vieira before defeating Julianna Peña by second-round submission at UFC 316 to capture the bantamweight championship.

Harrison’s greatest weapon is her grappling. Her judo background allows her to throw opponents, control positions and create submission opportunities. However, she has had to overcome a serious obstacle. Her originally scheduled matchup with Nunes at UFC 324 was postponed after Harrison required neck surgery. She is now returning to make her first championship defense. Amanda Nunes (23-5) is widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time.

Known as “The Lioness,” Nunes previously held both the UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight championships. Her résumé includes victories over Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Holly Holm and Miesha Tate. She retired in June 2023 after defeating Irene Aldana, leaving the sport as a two-division champion. Her retirement followed a remarkable run in which she defeated virtually every major name in women’s MMA.

Her only loss during her final 15 fight stretch was against Julianna Peña at UFC 269 in December 2021. Nunes avenged that defeat with a dominant unanimous-decision victory at UFC 277. Now, at 38, she is returning after more than three years away from competition.

The interesting wrinkle is that Nunes and Harrison have history. They were teammates at American Top Team in Florida before becoming potential opponents. Their matchup has been discussed for years, and the tension between competing for the same championship adds another dimension.

The big question: Has Nunes lost too much time to retirement, or can she still compete at the highest level? Harrison is younger, physically powerful and an elite grappler, but Nunes has championship experience that very few fighters can match. If Nunes wins, she could reclaim a championship and further cement her legacy. If Harrison wins, she gets the signature victory that could establish her as the dominant face of women’s MMA.

The complete UFC 334 Fight Card

As advertised in the published UFC 334 lineup as of October 31, 2026. Fight order and bouts remain subject to change. There are 12 announced fights as of this writing.

Preliminary Card

The Stephen Thompson’s Retirement Fight

One of the more emotional storylines on the card involves Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, who is scheduled to make his final UFC appearance against Charles Radtke. Thompson, 43, has been one of the most recognizable and respected fighters in the UFC for more than a decade.

A former kickboxing champion, Thompson developed a karate based striking style that made him one of the most difficult fighters in the sport to figure out. His UFC career included two unsuccessful attempts to capture the welterweight championship against Tyron Woodley. He also fought some of the biggest names of his generation, including Georges St-Pierre, Darren Till, Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland.

Thompson never captured UFC gold, but he established himself as one of the division’s most entertaining and technically gifted competitors. His matchup with Radtke gives fans an opportunity to see one final appearance from a fighter who helped define an era of UFC striking.

More Fights Worth Watching

Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan: Dober is a veteran lightweight with serious knockout power. He has made a career out of entertaining fights and is particularly dangerous when he gets opponents into exchanges. Duncan will have an opportunity to establish himself against a recognizable name.

Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney: Miller is one of the UFC’s most experienced competitors and a longtime fan favorite. His longevity is remarkable. McKinney is an explosive fighter who often finishes opponents quickly. This is a classic veteran versus younger finisher matchup.

Bia Mesquita vs. Macy Chiasson: Mesquita brings an elite Brazilian jiu jitsu background, while Chiasson has established herself as a capable UFC veteran. The matchup presents an interesting grappling-versus-striking dynamic.

Adrian Yanez vs. Juan Diaz: Yanez is known for his boxing and combinations. This is another opportunity for him to reestablish momentum in a competitive bantamweight division.

Nazim Sadykhov vs. Jefferson Nascimento: Sadykhov is an aggressive lightweight with finishing ability. Nascimento gets an opportunity to make an impression against a dangerous opponent.

What to Expect at UFC 334

The heavyweight main event is fascinating because the fighters represent two very different approaches to the sport. Gane is the more accomplished technical striker. His ability to control distance, move around the Octagon and pick opponents apart makes him an extremely difficult matchup.

Hokit is younger, undefeated and possesses the wrestling credentials to create problems for the champion. His confidence is enormous, sometimes bordering on theatrical absurdity, but his results have been difficult to dismiss. The biggest concern for Hokit is experience. He has never fought five championship rounds against somebody with Gane’s level of technical ability.

For Gane, the concern is whether Hokit can turn the fight into a wrestling match and expose his historical weaknesses on the ground. Meanwhile, Harrison versus Nunes could arguably be the biggest women’s MMA matchup of the year. It is a clash between the next generation of dominant champions and one of the greatest fighters ever to compete in the sport.

And then there is Wonderboy, who gets one last walk to the Octagon. Gane should be favored because of his experience, striking and championship pedigree. However, Hokit is dangerous enough to make this interesting, particularly if he can establish his wrestling early. Harrison vs. Nunes may ultimately steal the show, and Thompson’s retirement appearance adds a storyline that longtime UFC fans will appreciate.

UFC 334 has championship implications, returning legends, controversial personalities and several compelling matchups. Madison Square Garden should have a pretty entertaining evening.