UFC 334 is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest heavyweight tests, and Saturday’s heavyweight championship main event at Madison Square Garden puts the Frenchman’s belt against an undefeated challenger whose rapid climb has brought him to the biggest assignment of his career. Hokit has commanded attention on the way here, but taking a title from Gane requires considerably more than making yourself impossible to ignore.
- Gane vs. Hokit Best Bet 1: Ciryl Gane to win at 1.47 at ibet
- Gane vs. Hokit Best Bet 2: Under 3 ½ Rounds at 1.59 at ibet
- Find the best UFC odds at ibet sportsbook!
UFC 334 Main Event: Gane vs. Hokit
Josh Hokit has reached the point where an unbeaten record and a big personality can only do so much talking. At UFC 334, Ciryl Gane gets to answer.
Does Hokit have the game to match the confidence, or will Gane leave New York with his belt and a challenger’s first defeat on his résumé? Let’s get into my Gane vs. Hokit main event picks, analysis, and predictions, including the best bets to play at ibet.
Fans looking to get involved can head to sports betting at ibet for the full UFC 334 card, with all the latest lines updated on the ibet betting news blog. New customers can also check the ibet promotions page for sign-up offers before placing a bet. This preview comes from Dave, who covers every major card over on UFC betting. For a deeper statistical breakdown, check out our companion piece, UFC 334 Best Bets: Analysis & Predictions.
UFC 334 Tale of the Tape: Gane vs. Hokit
| Ciryl Gane | Josh Hokit | |
| Country | France | USA |
| Age | 36 | 29 |
| Pro Record (Win/Loss) | 14-2 | 10-0 |
| KO/Submission | 7 KOs, 3 Submissions | 6 KOs, 3 Submissions |
| Height | 6’4” | 6’1” |
| Reach | 81” | 73” |
| Win/Loss (Last 5) | W/NC/W/W/L | W/W/W/W/W |
| Moneyline Price | 1.47 [-217] | 2.52 [+152] |
Inside the Octagon UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit Prediction & Analysis
The Incredible Hok, or Incredibly Lucky?
The rise of Josh Hokit needs to be studied. The former All-American wrestling standout made his pro MMA debut in 2023. Following six straight wins, he made his UFC debut in November 2025. Now, just one year later, he’s headlining MSG with an opportunity at the undisputed heavyweight strap.
Just four wins under the UFC banner have granted Hokit a title opportunity, but a wild personality and a knack for garnering media attention have definitely helped. The problem is that the time for jokes is over: outside of a three-round brawl with Curtis Blaydes, Hokit has zero experience against the heavyweight’s best (Don’t even mention the ghost of Derrick Lewis), and the ultimate test still awaits.
Ciryl Isn’t Gane, But Your Eyes Might Be
The true heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, reluctantly vacated the heavyweight strap earlier this year after nearly losing his eyesight in a fight with Ciryl Gane. The Frenchman is an excellent striker, and his athleticism as a heavyweight is something we rarely witness, but when you’re best known for breaking the rules, it’s hard to argue he’s one of the greats.
And yes, finishing Alex Pereira at UFC White House was impressive. However, it was Pereira’s heavyweight debut after being a former middleweight, so again, there are caveats to highlight.
Ultimately, Gane’s path to the title includes a vacated title (automatic gift to undisputed), eye pokes to a no-contest versus Aspinall, and shots to the back of Pereira’s head. Is he great? Or is he just a very talented cheater?
UFC 334 Gane vs. Hokit Betting Picks
How to bet the Gane vs Hokit Moneyline
Gane’s movement and striking can make heavyweight opponents look painfully slow, forcing them to chase a fight that keeps slipping further away. For Hokit, he needs to disrupt that rhythm and make the champion uncomfortable, because giving Gane time and space is a generous way to spend your first title opportunity.
How does he achieve this? Well, he must wrestle. And while he hasn’t taken this approach all that much, we know he’s a credentialed wrestler, and Gane’s previous takedown defense has been a huge concern.
Francis Ngannou mogged Gane in the wrestling, so did Volkov, and, of course, Jon Jones. What does worry me, however, is that Hokit isn’t a big heavyweight like those men, and Gane’s movement is so slick.
I could honestly discuss the pros and cons of each fighter all day long, and early in the week I was leaning Hokit, only to now sit here questioning my decision. The problem is, we haven’t seen Hokit achieve his path to victory… He needs immaculate cardio, has to wrestle Gane until he’s tired, and do this for a potential 25 minutes, and I can’t trust that enough to start picking him as an underdog.
Gane’s long striking and jab is dangerous enough; add an 8” reach advantage to that, and Hokit could be in trouble. Hok looked labored in the third round against Blaydes, and that involved no grappling, so how will a five-round war with a huge, light-footed striker end?
It’s with regret that I’m pick-flipping to Gane (Hokit winning would be huge for the promotion), but the more I watch how slick this man’s striking is, and how little evidence we have of Hokit’s skill set, in unison with a huge size difference, Gane to win is the prediction.
Gane to Win at 1.47 (-213)
This Fight Isn’t Going the Distance
Toughness and grit kept Hokit on his feet against Blaydes, but the openings he left and the damage he took might not leave him standing against one of the division’s most technical strikers.
We also have to consider Hokit’s wrestling and how weak Gane is on the ground. That’s another recipe for a knockout or submission finish, especially when the challenger has a record with just one fight going long.
I believe 3 ½ rounds is the sweep spot. It’s enough time to respect both men’s toughness, but long enough to see one of these two skill sets put this fight to bed.
Under 3 ½ Rounds at 1.59 (-169)
UFC 334 Event Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026 – 11:00 p.m. CET
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
- How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass, Paramount+ & Viaplay
- Main Event Bout: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit [Heavyweight Title]
- Co-Main Event Bout: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes [Women’s Bantamweight Title]
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When the main card kicks off at UFC 334, expect a heavyweight title fight that could go either way, and fans can follow the build-up right through to fight night via the official UFC 334 event page.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and may have moved since the content was published. Betting markets shift constantly based on action and betting news. For the latest odds and current lines, visit the ibet Sportsbook.
