Hokit demands immediate rematch after falling short against Gane at UFC 334

Josh Hokit suffered the first loss of his professional MMA career at UFC 334 on Saturday, falling to heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane by decision in the main event at Madison Square Garden in New York — and he wasted no time in demanding another shot.

Hokit, who entered the fight at 10-0, pushed Gane through a competitive main event that drew strong praise from the crowd, but the scorecards ultimately went against him. In a brief post on social media shortly after the show concluded, “The Incredible Hok” kept his message simple: “Immediate rematch. Please.”

The tone marked a departure from Hokit’s typically combative post-fight style. After the final horn, both fighters exchanged respectful words, and Hokit told reporters the defeat would ultimately make him a stronger fighter.

Whether the UFC grants that rematch is far from certain. Gane has a crowded division to navigate, with several heavyweights building compelling cases for the next title shot. Tom Aspinall — who vacated the undisputed heavyweight title after suffering eye injuries in a fight with Gane in October 2025 — is expected to be first in line if he can return to competition in early 2027. Alexander Volkov has also strengthened his claim with three consecutive victories, bouncing back from a controversial decision loss to Gane.

The picture could shift further depending on the outcome of the UFC 335 co-main event, where Sergei Pavlovich meets Alex Pereira. Gane defeated Pereira at UFC White House in June to claim the interim championship before eventually unifying the title, meaning a Pavlovich win could set up a fresh contender, while a Pereira victory would reignite one of the division’s most high-profile rivalries.

For now, Hokit’s immediate future in the heavyweight title picture remains uncertain, but his willingness to call for a rematch so quickly signals he has no intention of stepping back from the top of the division.