UFC Names Ciryl Gane Undisputed Heavyweight Champion; Sets First Defense Against Josh Hokit

Ciryl Gane (14-2) assumes the undisputed title following Tom Aspinall's vacation and will face Josh Hokit at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14.

The UFC has elevated former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane to undisputed heavyweight champion, booking his first defense against Josh Hokit (10-0) for UFC 334 on Nov. 14. The 14-2 French heavyweight will headline the event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Gane assumes the undisputed status after Tom Aspinall was forced to vacate the belt this month due to a lingering eye issue, which cancelled a planned rematch between the two fighters.

Gane secured his position as a two-time interim champion in June by defeating Alex Pereira via knockout at UFC 250 Freedom Fights. His upcoming opponent, Hokit, is a 28-year-old former Fresno State collegiate football player. Hokit enters the title bout undefeated following a career marked by professional wrestling-style antics and controversial public remarks.

The UFC 334 card also features a co-main event for the women’s bantamweight title between defending champion Kayla Harrison (19-1) and Amanda Nunes (23-5). Nunes is returning from a retirement that began in June 2023 for this 135-pound championship match. This pairing was originally scheduled for January, but Harrison withdrew at that time to undergo neck surgery.