Josh Hokit challenges Ciryl Gane for the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 334 and is already talking about a potential fight with Tom Aspinall.
Josh Hokit headlines UFC 334 this Saturday against Ciryl Gane for the undisputed heavyweight title, capping a run that started just one year ago. Gane holds the belt after Tom Aspinall vacated it in September due to ongoing complications from an eye injury suffered in their fight last October, one caused by multiple eye pokes during that bout. Gane had already won the interim title in June by stopping Alex Pereira at the White House, moments after Hokit TKOed Derrick Lewis on the same card.
Hokit enters unbeaten and has already looked past Saturday, saying he would welcome a fight with Aspinall next. Aspinall's own future in the cage remains unclear as he focuses on recovering from the eye injury rather than any return timeline.
Gane, meanwhile, is brushing off criticism over fouls as he prepares for his first title defense, with his takedown defense expected to be tested by Hokit. For Hokit, beating Gane would complete a rapid climb from relative unknown to heavyweight champion in the span of a single year, and set up a showdown with Aspinall whenever the Briton is ready to fight again.