New York City – In front of a roaring crowd at Madison Square Garden, UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane successfully defended his title at UFC 334, earning a unanimous decision over challenger Josh Hokit.
Fight recap
Gane (15‑2) won each of the three judges’ cards 48‑47, edging out Hokit (10‑1) in a gritty five‑round slugfest. Both fighters emerged bloodied – Hokit with a cut above his left eye and Gane with a split lip – but neither delivered sustained offense that could sway the judges.
Hokit, who entered the arena wearing an American‑flag bandana, tried to intimidate with his trademark bravado, even flashing a middle finger in the third round. After the decision, he declared, “I will rejoice in my suffering; suffering builds endurance, endurance builds character, and character builds hope. I will never lose hope. I will be champion one day.”
Champion’s background
Gane, who previously claimed the interim heavyweight title by defeating Alex Pereira at the White House card in June, was promoted to undisputed champion in November after Tom Aspinall’s absence. The 36‑year‑old French‑born fighter had earlier suffered defeats to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, making this victory a reaffirmation of his place at the top of the division.
Co‑main event highlights
In the co‑main event, Kayla Harrison retained her 135‑pound title, submitting former champion Amanda Nunes in the fourth round. Harrison, a two‑time Olympic gold‑medalist in judo, overcame a recent neck injury and a challenging weight cut to secure the win.
President Donald Trump, who has attended UFC events at the Garden in the past, was not present. Earlier this week he joked about offering UFC chief Dana White the White House press secretary job, later clarifying it was a jest.
What’s next
Gane’s next opponent has yet to be announced, but the champion’s performance solidifies his standing as the division’s top heavyweight. Fans can look forward to more high‑stakes matchups as the UFC continues to showcase premier talent at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
