NEW YORK — Josh Hokit promised to bring chaos to the UFC heavyweight division, and for three rounds Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, it appeared he might deliver one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history.
But Ciryl Gane had other plans. In a grueling five-round championship battle at UFC 334, Gane survived Hokit’s relentless pressure, weathered an exhausting opening three rounds and rallied late to retain his UFC heavyweight championship by unanimous decision.
All three judges scored the contest 48-47 in favor of Gane, who improved to 15-2 in his professional mixed martial arts career and 12-2 inside the UFC. Hokit, the former San Francisco 49ers player turned MMA contender, suffered his first professional defeat, falling to 10-1 overall and 4-1 in the UFC.
The fight delivered an unusually frantic pace for the heavyweight division, with both competitors pushing themselves through five demanding rounds.
Hokit Brings the Pressure From the Opening Bell
Hokit wasted no time making his intentions clear. Within seconds of the opening bell, the challenger shot for a takedown, immediately forcing Gane into a defensive position.
Known for his technical striking, footwork and ability to control distance, Gane struggled to establish his usual rhythm against Hokit’s aggressive approach. The challenger continuously moved forward, throwing punches and initiating grappling exchanges that prevented the champion from settling into his offense.
Although Gane successfully defended against significant ground control, he was unable to create the separation necessary to utilize his striking advantage. Hokit’s relentless pressure carried into the second round.
The former football player increased his offensive output, throwing heavy punches and refusing to give Gane an opportunity to breathe. Rather than allowing the champion to dictate the pace, Hokit turned the fight into a physically demanding battle.
By the end of the second round, the challenger appeared to have established the kind of momentum necessary to pull off a major upset.
Gane Struggles as Hokit Maintains Relentless Pace
The third round continued much like the first two. Hokit pressed forward with aggressive striking and constant movement, forcing Gane to fight at a pace that appeared increasingly uncomfortable.
The French champion began showing visible signs of fatigue. His mouth remained open as he struggled to catch his breath, and his offensive output dropped considerably.
For a fighter whose success has traditionally depended on movement, precision and controlling distance, the inability to establish a consistent rhythm created significant problems.
Hokit, meanwhile, continued attacking despite the enormous energy expenditure required to maintain his pressure. At that stage, the challenger appeared to be in position to accomplish something few expected when he entered the Octagon. But championship fights are scheduled for five rounds, and Gane still had time to make adjustments.
Gane Finds His Second Wind
The momentum began shifting as the fight entered the championship rounds. After struggling through much of the opening three rounds, Gane appeared to find another level of energy.
At the same time, Hokit’s relentless pace finally began taking its toll. The champion started incorporating short punches to the body during clinch exchanges, forcing the challenger to absorb additional punishment at close range.
Gane also began utilizing his kicks more effectively, adding an element to his offense that had largely been absent earlier in the fight. Those adjustments helped him regain control of the distance and establish a more favorable striking rhythm.
Rather than continuing to engage exclusively in Hokit’s preferred style of fighting, Gane began making the challenger work at a pace he could manage. The shift demonstrated the champion’s ability to adjust under pressure.
Championship Round Delivers Dramatic Finish
By the fifth round, both fighters appeared energized by the realization that only five minutes remained. Despite the exhaustion accumulated over the previous 20 minutes, Gane and Hokit continued exchanging strikes in a competitive final round.
Gane found increasing success with his offense, landing some of his cleanest punches of the contest. The champion tested Hokit’s durability more frequently than he had earlier in the fight.
To Hokit’s credit, the challenger absorbed the punishment and continued moving forward. His willingness to engage never disappeared, even as fatigue became increasingly apparent.
When the final horn sounded, the Madison Square Garden crowd was already standing. Gane grabbed the top of the Octagon fence and took a moment to catch his breath after surviving one of the most physically demanding contests of his UFC career.
Hokit, maintaining the confrontational personality that has helped make him a recognizable figure, directed an obscene gesture toward the champion. However, when the judges’ scorecards were announced, Gane emerged victorious. All three judges awarded him the fight, 48-47.
Josh Hokit Suffers First Professional Defeat
Despite the loss, Hokit demonstrated why his rapid rise through the heavyweight rankings had attracted considerable attention. The former San Francisco 49ers player entered mixed martial arts with a wrestling background before beginning his professional career in Bellator.
After Bellator was absorbed by the Professional Fighters League, Hokit continued developing his skills in Legacy Fighting Alliance. His performances eventually earned him an opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he continued building momentum toward a UFC contract.
Along the way, Hokit developed an outspoken, professional wrestling-inspired personality that generated attention both inside and outside the sport. His aggressive promotional style occasionally overshadowed his fighting ability, but his performances inside the Octagon demonstrated that he belonged among serious heavyweight contenders.
A memorable back-and-forth battle against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 helped accelerate his rise toward a championship opportunity. Against Ciryl Gane, Hokit showed that his relentless pressure and willingness to engage could create problems even for an experienced champion.
However, maintaining that pace across five rounds proved difficult. The defeat represents the first setback of his professional MMA career, but his performance could provide valuable lessons as he continues developing.
Heavyweight Division Remains on Notice
Ciryl Gane’s victory keeps the UFC heavyweight championship in his possession, but the fight also raised intriguing questions about the division’s future. Hokit demonstrated that sustained pressure can disrupt Gane’s technical striking and force the champion into uncomfortable exchanges.
At the same time, Gane showed that his conditioning, experience and ability to make adjustments remain important strengths. The champion survived the challenger’s early onslaught before finding success when the fight entered its later stages.
For Hokit, the challenge will be learning how to maintain his aggressive approach without exhausting himself before the championship rounds. For Gane, the victory offers another opportunity to build his championship résumé against the division’s top contenders.
Josh Hokit brought the chaos, the pressure and the confidence to Madison Square Garden. But Ciryl Gane brought the championship experience necessary to survive it.
After 25 exhausting minutes, the heavyweight title remained with the Frenchman, while Hokit learned that pushing a champion to the limit and taking his belt are two very different accomplishments.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
