Ciryl Gane Outlasts Josh Hokit at UFC 334 to Retain Heavyweight Title
Ciryl Gane secured a unanimous decision victory over Josh Hokit in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden, successfully defending his heavyweight crown.
🧠AI AnalysisPhoto: bleacherreport.com
Key points
- Ciryl Gane defeated Josh Hokit via unanimous decision in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden.
- Gane landed 252 significant strikes, according to ESPN Fight Center data.
- Gane expressed interest in a future rematch against Tom Aspinall once the injured contender recovers.
Ciryl Gane defended his heavyweight title at UFC 334 on Saturday night inside Madison Square Garden, stopping the momentum of challenger Josh Hokit via a unanimous decision. Hokit immediately applied pressure from the opening bell, rushing the champion and scoring an early takedown. Despite dealing with an accidental eye poke from Gane in the first frame—a sequence drawing attention due to Gane's history—Hokit recovered swiftly to slam the titleholder before the round closed.
Hokit maintained a relentless pace through the second round, forcing the champion into deep waters and challenging his conditioning. According to ESPN Fight Center statistics, Hokit's aggression disrupted Gane's rhythm early, though the veteran champion began finding success in the later frames by utilizing shorter clinch strikes and increased body work to sap the challenger's energy.
Gane finished the bout strongly, landing 252 significant strikes overall, per ESPN Fight Center data. This victory solidifies his status at the top of the division, although an unresolved rivalry remains with Tom Aspinall, whose previous meeting with Gane ended in a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke. Gane expressed his desire for a future rematch once Aspinall recovers from multiple surgeries addressing the injury.
What to watch next
Monitor updates on Tom Aspinall's medical recovery timetable to see if a title unification bout against Gane can be scheduled next.
Source bleacherreport.com — bleacherreport.com/articles/25533262-ciryl-gane-beats-josh-hokit-judges… ↗
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