Gane dismisses Hokit's social media noise but warns unbeaten challenger's wrestling is 'huge'

Ciryl Gane has brushed aside Josh Hokit’s social media theatrics while making clear he holds genuine respect for the unbeaten challenger’s athletic credentials ahead of their UFC heavyweight title fight at UFC 334 on 14 November at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Hokit arrives at 10-0 and has built a following online through music clips and promotional videos, but Gane said the content has done nothing to unsettle him. “I saw his clip videos, music on social media. It was pretty funny,” the French champion said. “I’m really happy to have him put his fight and do some entertainment. That’s perfect.”

Beneath the amusement, however, Gane is clear-eyed about what makes Hokit a credible threat. The challenger’s background spans NCAA wrestling and a stint in the NFL, and Gane believes that multi-sport pedigree translates directly into cage danger. “He is light, more than me. So that’s why, because also he’s an athlete. He’s from NCAA wrestling, so that’s huge. To the NFL also. So he’s a really great athlete. He moves really fast,” Gane said. “He’s not maybe the best striker out, or maybe even the best wrestler. But I like to say, I think he has a good fight IQ. Yeah, he can manage very well.”

Gane, who is making the first defence of his heavyweight title reign, reported a smooth and productive training camp heading into fight week. “The training camp was on point,” he said. “We built something really strong around me, like with my team. And we feel really comfortable. We improve, we still improve, improve, improve day after day.”

With preparation complete, the champion says the only remaining variable is mental. “I know I’m ready technically, tactically, physically. So I just need to be present, 100% present, like in the cage,” Gane added.

The bout tops UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden, with Gane looking to put his stamp on the heavyweight division against a challenger who has yet to taste defeat as a professional.