Skip to content Ten months ago, unbeaten heavyweight sensation Josh Hokit UFC newcomer was fighting on the opening bout of the early prelims at UFC 324 in front of empty plastic seats. Now, the 29-year-old wrestling powerhouse headlines Madison Square Garden with the vacant heavyweight title on the line against Ciryl Gane.
That is the fastest climb up the division since Brock Lesnar captured gold in 2008. If Hokit wins on Saturday night at UFC 334, exactly 371 days will separate his promotional debut from becoming undisputed champion.
Also read: Josh Hokit Open to Tom Aspinall Bout Ahead of UFC 334
His ascent matters because the division desperately needs stability after years of bizarre delays, injuries and vacated belts. A victory transforms an abrasive former college walk-on into the biggest draw in combat sports.
How the Josh Hokit UFC push broke records
Hokit (10-0) turned pro only three years ago after competing as an All-American wrestler and football player at Fresno State. He signed contracts with two NFL franchises before committing his athletic prime to mixed martial arts.
His UFC run started quietly last November, but he refused to wait around for scheduled dates. He accepted bouts on short notice, using his quick hands and relentless wrestling pace to break larger men.
In April, Hokit survived a grueling war with top contender Curtis Blaydes. Two months later in June, he knocked out Derrick Lewis, the most prolific knockout artist in company history, after simulating vomiting on himself at the official weigh-ins.
Chaos clears a path for Josh Hokit UFC title hopes
Hokit’s fifth fight in a single 12-month span comes at a time when heavyweight contenders rarely compete twice a year. The belt has sat in limbo since Francis Ngannou walked away in 2023, followed by Jon Jones retiring instead of facing Tom Aspinall.
Aspinall then suffered accidental eye pokes in a title defense against Ciryl Gane, underwent multiple surgeries and had to vacate the belt two months ago. That opened the door for Hokit to jump into Saturday’s main event.
“If you don’t have wrestling, then I wouldn’t advise it for a small heavyweight,” Hokit said. “At least I have the wrestling in the back pocket, and I think wrestling is the great equalizer. So, I could always fall back on that and make the heavyweights tired.”
While purists questioned his rapid booking, Hokit pointed to his willingness to stay active when peers chose to sit out and protect rankings.
The polarizing spectacle fueling Josh Hokit UFC buzz
Skill inside the cage only explains half of the Californian’s meteoric rise. Hokit borrowed shameless theatrical cues from professional wrestling to force the mixed martial arts world to watch him.
His stunts have tested patience and drawn reprimands. Security threw Hokit out of a Newark press conference after crude barbs aimed at relatives of Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira, and Dana White publicly scolded him for tasteless jokes about celebrities.
He even dropped a rap diss track targeting the entire roster before arriving in New York. Yet the hostility has turned into genuine intrigue for fight fans.
- Wrestled as a Division I All-American at Fresno State
- Walked onto two college sports and signed with two NFL teams
- Beat Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis in a two-month span
- Headlines UFC 334 in only his fifth promotional appearance
Former opponents and veterans have taken notice of the madness. Retired lightweight contender Dustin Poirier noted that backing up extreme talk with real wins turns fighters into stars, comparing Hokit’s surge to Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen.
Can Ciryl Gane solve the Josh Hokit UFC problem?
Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC) enters Saturday as the composed veteran tasked with cooling off the sport’s loudest prospect. Gane has faced elite punchers and wrestlers across multiple championship fights, and he holds a distinct reach and striking edge.
The French kickboxer refused to take Hokit’s personal insults to heart during fight week. Instead, Gane acknowledged that Hokit fights with genuine ring intelligence despite his lack of long-term experience.
For Hokit, the plan at Madison Square Garden remains straightforward. He intends to use his collegiate wrestling base to drag Gane into deep water and grind out the victory.
If his cardio holds up, Hokit proves his loud personality was simply the vehicle for a dominant champion. If Gane picks him apart at range, the brash contender will face his first bitter reality check under the brightest lights in combat sports.
Hokit and Gane step into the Octagon at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night for the main event of UFC 334, with the vacant championship awaiting the winner.
Source: CBS Sports
