Whittaker backs Gane but admits Hokit's baby-food drool stunt won him over

Robert Whittaker has declared he would not bet his house on Josh Hokit defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 on 14 November at Madison Square Garden in New York, but the former middleweight champion has made clear he is now firmly in the challenger’s corner as a fan — thanks to one spectacularly committed piece of theatre.

Hokit, who faces Gane for the UFC heavyweight title in the main event, has built a rapid following through outlandish trash talk and promotional stunts. The moment that converted Whittaker was Hokit drooling baby food on himself at the weigh-ins ahead of his fight against Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250.

“I thought Josh was a moron, right? And then I saw him commit to the role so heavily by drooling on himself with that baby food that I subscribed straight away,” Whittaker told Ariel Helwani. “Anyone who can go that deep into a role has my subscription. I’m a fan now.”

Whittaker was careful to separate his personal appreciation for Hokit’s showmanship from his assessment of the fight itself. Speaking candidly, the Australian said Gane’s résumé simply carries more weight than Hokit’s at this stage of the challenger’s career.

“Gane’s really good, man. And he has the resume to back it up. Josh hasn’t had that lengthy résumé just yet,” Whittaker said. “Don’t get so personal. It’s not personal. I’m just looking at it on paper… If I had to bet my house on it, I’m not betting on Josh. I’m gonna bet on Ciryl.”

Whittaker’s endorsement of Hokit as a character, even while picking against him, underlines how quickly “The Incredible Hok” has captured the attention of the MMA world. Whether that momentum translates inside the cage against one of the heavyweight division’s most technically refined fighters remains the central question heading into UFC 334.