Hokit open to Aspinall fight after UFC 334 but doubts rival wants to return

Josh Hokit will challenge Ciryl Gane for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title in Saturday’s main event at Madison Square Garden, and if he wins, he says Tom Aspinall is welcome to a shot — though he is not convinced Aspinall is coming back.

The fight marks more than a year since Aspinall’s ill-fated title defence against Gane ended in a no-contest after an accidental eye poke left the Englishman sidelined indefinitely. In Aspinall’s absence, Gane defeated Alex Pereira at UFC White House to claim an interim belt before being elevated to undisputed champion, setting up Saturday’s unification bout with the undefeated Hokit.

“When I’m champion, anybody can get a fight,” Hokit said at Wednesday’s media day. “We’ll see if Aspinall comes back, and we’ll see. I don’t think he wants to come back. You signed with Eddie Hearn, Dana’s archnemesis. To me, that’s like you’re just trying to get to the money, get a money fight in boxing. So we’ll see if they give him a price to work with in the UFC.”

Hokit’s rise to a world title shot has been remarkably swift. Twelve months ago he was preparing for his UFC debut against Max Gimenis. Four fights and four wins later — highlighted by a Fight of the Year contender performance against Curtis Blaydes and a victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC White House — he stands on the verge of heavyweight history.

The 25-year-old frames the stakes in broad terms, arguing the division itself needs rescuing after a prolonged period without an active, dominant champion.

“I think it would mean that Gotham is saved,” Hokit said. “The heavyweight division is saved. The future is born, the past will be put in a casket. They haven’t had an active champion in a while, and so I’m here to give them that.”

Hokit’s profile has grown as much through controversy as through performance. His post-fight interview after the Lewis win drew sharp criticism — including from UFC CEO Dana White — for an offensive remark about former First Lady Michelle Obama. He has nonetheless continued to deliver inside the cage, and heads into Saturday’s main event unbeaten and, by his own account, ready for the defining moment of his career.

“I feel like every situation in everyone’s life is preparing them for a moment that hasn’t happened yet,” he said. “This is my moment.”