Ciryl Gane successfully retained his heavyweight championship against Josh Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 through a unanimous decision. Gane, who was elevated to undisputed champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the belt in September, outstruck the American over five hard-fought rounds.
UFC 334 Main Event Striking Battle
Hokit proved to be a formidable challenger, applying relentless pressure that resulted in a combined record of 388 significant strikes over the 25-minute bout. Despite the constant forward movement, Hokit landed 146 significant strikes compared to 237 for Gane. The judges scored the contest 48-47 across the board for the Frenchman, though fighters and fans like Joshua Van and Alex Pereira believed Hokit deserved the win.
Alexander Volkanovski shared his analysis of the contest, arguing that judging should prioritize effective damage rather than forward pressure. Pointing to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, the featherweight champion emphasized that effective striking and grappling take precedence over aggression and cage control.
Volkanovski noted that while Hokit’s aggressive style made him appear to dictate the action and land more meaningful shots in the second and third rounds, forward pressure should not automatically sway the judges. In an Instagram video, he stated that scoring should rely on significant strikes and composure rather than simply moving forward while an opponent is on the back foot.
Breaking Down the Championship Rounds
Focusing on the middle rounds, Volkanovski explained how Hokit’s aggressive approach disrupted Gane’s composure. He described how Gane struggled to deal with the pressure during the second and third rounds, throwing panicked strikes that lacked significance despite their volume.
The turning point arrived in the fourth round when Gane adjusted to his opponent’s unconventional style. Volkanovski observed that the champion regained his composure, executed more calculated and significant strikes, and handled the pressure better. This adjustment continued into the fifth round.
Volkanovski ultimately concurred with the official verdict, scoring the bout 3-2 in favor of Gane while acknowledging that the scoring criteria would spark debate among observers.
