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Ciryl Gane is preparing for his next heavyweight title defense against Josh Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden. The championship opportunity came about after Tom Aspinall vacated the title due to ongoing complications from a recurring right eye injury.
Unbeaten Challenger and Overlooked Contenders
Hokit approaches the title fight holding an undefeated record of 10-0. His recent wins against Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis accelerated his path to the championship.
This rapid ascent left other contenders behind, most notably Alexander Volkov. The Russian heavyweight claimed victories in seven of his previous eight bouts, with his lone loss in that span occurring against Gane at UFC 310 by a disputed decision.
UFC head Dana White indicated he would address the aftermath of their controversial bout, but a rematch did not happen. Instead, Hokit secured the next title opportunity.
Champion Acknowledges Contender Frustrations
In a discussion with RMC Sport Combat, as reported by sports.yahoo.com, Gane addressed whether Hokit earned the title fight ahead of Volkov, suggesting that the American’s character likely influenced the promotion’s decision.
Gane admitted that he would share the discontent of sidelined fighters if he were in their position, stating, “If I put myself in the shoes of the guys in the top five, I wouldn’t be happy. Naturally, I wouldn’t be happy. I’d be thinking, ‘How’s this possible?’ I’ve been here for a while, I’ve earned my spot.”
The champion also referenced his own encounters with Volkov, noting that their second matchup was exceptionally tight. He added, “You see the first Volkov fight I won, the second fight was super close, borderline controversial, practically a draw. I still deserve my shot to go there, you know? I understand the frustration and the desire to talk on social media. To defend yourself. But, you have to understand the game.”
The Business Side of Championship Bouts
Gane asserted that high rankings alone do not guarantee title shots in the organization. He emphasized that athletes require impressive finishes and standout moments to improve their leverage.
He further explained, “Without that, you can’t negotiate. If you have lackluster fights, kind of whatever, you need a great, pristine record or have lost to guys like that. It’s all pawns. That’s how it is.”
Volkov subsequently rebounded with a win over Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333, maintaining his place near the top of the division as Gane and Hokit prepare to headline UFC 334.
