Sports · Combat Sports · 2 hrs ago
Gane’s coach calls Hokit a major challenge ahead of UFC 334 title fight
Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit are set to fight for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Hokit is 10-0 in mixed martial arts and is known for combining wrestling with striking.
Gane’s coach, Fernand Lopez, compared Hokit to former champion Cain Velasquez, praising his ability to pressure opponents and switch between wrestling and striking.
Lopez said Hokit is a major challenge for Gane, whose UFC losses came when opponents exploited weaknesses in his wrestling and grappling defense.
Hokit can threaten Gane on the ground or standing, making the title fight a test of how well Gane can handle both styles.
The two are scheduled to meet in the heavyweight title fight at UFC 334 on November 14.
Ciryl Gane’s head coach Fernand Lopez called Josh Hokit a “huge challenge” ahead of their planned heavyweight title fight at UFC 334.
Lopez compared Hokit’s varied wrestling and striking skills to those of former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
The fight is scheduled to headline UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on November 14.
Hokit is 10-0 in MMA, and Lopez said he can finish opponents by striking or submission.
Alex Pereira has criticized the matchup, while Hokit has defended the fight.
- Who
- Heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit are set to fight for the title. Gane’s head coach is Fernand Lopez.
- What
- A heavyweight title fight is scheduled for UFC 334.
- When
- November 14, 2026.
- Where
- Madison Square Garden in New York.
- Why
- Not stated
Josh Hokit
Alex Pereira
Matchup
Josh Hokit
Hokit has defended the fight against Pereira’s criticism.
Alex Pereira
Pereira claimed the promotion was pushing an agenda to make fans believe this was the right fight.
Bloody Elbow published its report on Lopez’s assessment of Hokit.
Gane and Hokit are scheduled to fight for the heavyweight title at UFC 334.
- Hokit’s MMA record
- 10-0
- Scheduled event
- UFC 334
- Fight date
- November 14, 2026
- Venue
- Madison Square Garden
- Coach
- Fernand Lopez
1 source
What people are saying
He’s not just another heavyweight coming forward to punch people, he’s got something. I think that besides Cain Velasquez, it’s been a long time since we had this kind of wrestler that can push you, make you guess, go for wrestling, if that’s not working, go back to striking, he’s not just relying on wrestling
He can put you out on the feet or he can put you out by submitting you… It’s well deserved for him and I think that he is a huge challenge for Ciryl. Of course he’s going to wrestle, but he’s not going to wrestle right away