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Two champions successfully defended their titles on Saturday during a memorable night of fights at Madison Square Garden for UFC 334. In the main event, Ciryl Gane withstood intense pressure from challenger Josh Hokit to secure his first defense of the undisputed heavyweight title. Meanwhile, the co-headliner featured women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison returning from neck surgery to submit Amanda Nunes, marking the return of the legend after a three-year retirement.
Ciryl Gane Cements Heavyweight Reign
Facing constant pressure from Hokit that turned the headliner into a fast-paced brawl, Gane relied on his cardio to find a second wind in the championship rounds, landing heavy shots to make his opponent pay. According to CBS Sports Headlines, Gane set a new UFC heavyweight record by landing 237 significant strikes compared to Hokit’s 146, while successfully preventing Hokit from using his wrestling to control the fight. The victory was crucial for the first French-born UFC champion, who moved past previous criticisms and proved his elite status at age 36. Gane praised his opponent afterward, stating as reported by CBS Sports Headlines, “This guy is a m*****f**ker. He did very well.”
Josh Hokit Nears Historic Rise
Transitioning from the early prelims in January at UFC 324 to a pay-per-view heavyweight title headliner in November, Hokit completed a meteoric rise through the sport. Despite initial criticism for a brash persona that fans viewed as desperate, Hokit won over the New York crowd at UFC 334 by blending traits of iconic wrestling and fighting personalities. The underdog walked through heavy shots in an effort to drain the champion’s gas tank, showcasing an inspiring backstory as a former NFL practice squad player and NCAA Division I All-American wrestler. Looking forward, Hokit declared as noted by CBS Sports Headlines, “I wil 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. You guys can kick me when you’re down; I’ll still break your f**king leg.”
Kayla Harrison Considers Walking Away on Top
Harrison pushed through a painful recovery from neck surgery and a demanding weight cut to 135 pounds specifically to face former teammate and two-division champion Amanda Nunes. Following her fourth-round submission victory, Harrison faces a lack of remaining challenges in her weight class that would further elevate her unique legacy as a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, two-time PFL tournament champion, and dominant mixed martial artist with a 20-1 career record. Reflecting on her future after the title fight win, Harrison told CBS Sports Headlines, “I have a lot of decisions to make when I get home.”
Amanda Nunes Falls Short in Return
Nunes started strong in her return from a three-year retirement, stunning Harrison with a pair of right hands and stuffing early takedowns. However, the momentum shifted after Harrison utilized the clinch and judo throws to take control on the ground. Instead of maintaining distance, Nunes repeatedly brought the fight to the ground, playing into Harrison’s strengths and ultimately exhausting herself by the end of the second round. The 38-year-old fighter had shown immense passion during fight week, but lingering personal tensions from their former shared gym may have guided her down a difficult path.
Stephen Thompson Retires in Style
At 43 years old, former two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson stepped into the Octagon for the final time, 14 years after his promotional debut. Thompson brought the Madison Square Garden crowd to its feet by landing a spinning hook kick to knock out Charles Radtke late in the third round. The karate-style knockout provided a storybook ending for a fan favorite known for his respect, honor, and consistency throughout a storied career.
