The UFC heavyweight championship will be on the line in the main event of UFC 334 next month, when Ciryl Gane defends his title against Josh Hokit.
Gane was promoted to undisputed champion recently after Tom Aspinall was forced to vacate his championship due to a succession of eye injuries, and his first defence will come against Hokit, who has blazed a trail over the last 12 months with victories against Denzel Freeman, Curtis Blaydes, and Derrick Lewis in 2026.
The fight is being looked at as a potential turning point for the division, with Gane having been in the mix at the top of the rankings for several years, while Hokit only made his debut with the organisation in November 2025.
Gane is considered to be the favourite for the fight with the bookmakers, but some believe the chaos and wrestling ability of Hokit means he has a chance to cause an upset and become the undisputed champion for the first time.
Someone who knows all about being the undisputed world champion is Stipe Miocic, who won the belt twice during his career and has the most defences in the history of the division.
Exclusive: Miocic Predicts Gane vs Hokit at UFC 334
The American retired in November 2024 after he failed to win the belt back for a third time against Jon Jones, but he is still widely considered to be the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time. And speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, via Casino.org, Miocic has revealed who he believes will come out on top at UFC 334.
“They’re both vulnerable, but I’d have to go with Gane just because of his experience.
“He’s fought some tough guys in the past. However, I think if Hokit keeps his distance and has a good angle on Gane, it will help him.
“I know Hokit’s a wrestler, but wrestling isn’t always the best approach.
“When you’re wrestling, you’re still getting punched, kicked, and kneed, so you’re vulnerable to getting hurt. If Hokit just keeps his distance, he can pick Gane apart. But Hokit hasn’t really gone the distance in the past either. Five rounds, that’s a big difference. I don’t care how great shape you’re in, you’re definitely going to feel it when you’re not used to it. I think that could hurt him too.
“I think Hokit can exploit some of Gane’s weaknesses. I haven’t watched him fight a lot, but from what I’ve seen, he just needs to put pressure on him, close the distance, and work some good angles, and that could be effective.
“If Hokit can get him up against the cage, tire him out and utilise his clinch and body work, I think that could take a toll on Gane.”
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