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Josh Hokit Questions Ciryl Gane’s Undisputed Title Elevation Ahead Of UFC 334 Showdown: ‘Reward Someone For Cheating’

ByPranav PandeyMixed Martial Arts Journalist

Josh Hokit is already taking aim at Ciryl Gane’s newly crowned status before they even share the Octagon.

Gane was recently elevated to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the title while continuing to recover from complications involving the eye injury he suffered in his no contest against “Bon Gamin” at UFC 321.

Hokit now has the opportunity to settle the matter himself when he challenges Gane for the undisputed heavyweight title. The undefeated 28-year-old will headline UFC 334 against the newly crowned champion on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Josh Hokit Says Ciryl Gane Does Not Deserve Undisputed UFC Title

Josh Hokit believes Gane’s elevation should never have happened, particularly given the circumstances surrounding Aspinall’s departure from the championship picture.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hokit directly questioned Gane’s status as the undisputed champion and said he intends to settle the issue himself at UFC 334.

“I don’t think he deserves an undisputed title… I don’t think you should reward someone for cheating. But I think it’s setting me up perfectly, because when I beat the f*ck out of him, I’m undisputed. At the end of the day, that’s what they want. When I’m the champion, I’m giving them four fights a year.”

Gane’s promotion came after Aspinall announced that he would vacate the heavyweight championship rather than continue holding up the division. The former champion also revealed that he had reinjured his right eye during training for a potential rematch with Gane and would now wait for medical clearance.

“Bon Gamin” had already secured the interim championship by knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250, putting him in position to inherit the undisputed belt once Aspinall stepped aside.

Hokit has meanwhile built an undefeated 10-0 record and gone 4-0 since joining the UFC after earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2025. His run includes a TKO victory over Derrick Lewis and a Fight of the Night performance against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327.