“Another one. Another one. Really experienced with it now. It’s not my first time for the big day,” Gane remarked, reflecting on his journey to the upper echelon of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heavyweight division.
Entering UFC 334, Gane finds himself matched against Josh Hokit, a rising contender who has quickly carved a path through the division’s ranks. While Hokit’s meteoric ascent has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, Gane approaches the matchup with the measured perspective of a seasoned veteran who understands the unpredictable nature of MMA’s heavyweight division. Knowing that anything is possible inside the Octagon, Gane views his challenger with a mixture of professional respect and psychological detachment.
Gane’s own path to the championship belt highlights just how quickly fortunes can change in the heavyweight division. The French contender captured the title after former champion Tom Aspinall was forced to vacate the championship following an unfortunate eye injury sustained during their 2015 title fight. In the wake of that division-shifting vacancy, the championship landscape quickly reorganized around top contenders, ultimately leading to the emergence of challengers like Hokit and Alexander Volkov.
Despite Hokit’s penchant for pre-fight trash talk and his signature professional wrestling-style antics, Gane refuses to buy into the manufactured persona of his opponent. Instead, the champion looks past the theatrical exterior to see a dedicated athlete sharing similar competitive traits.
“I’m pretty sure he’s a good guy. He pretends he’s a dark guy, but I’m pretty sure he’s not,” Gane suggested. “I’m pretty sure also we have a lot of similarities. I can say that.”
Elaborating on his assessment of the challenger, Gane noted that beneath the theatrics lies a sharp, multi-faceted athlete who genuinely appreciates the dedication required across various disciplines. “In fact, what I see is that he loves sport, he’s an athlete. He loves multiple sports. Me too. He’s funny. He’s really funny. I think he’s a smart guy also. He pretends he’s a clown, just a clown for entertainment, but he’s really smart.”
Reflecting on when he first took notice of his upcoming opponent, Gane admitted that Hokit did not register heavily on his radar until they both competed on the high-profile White House card. Gane clarified that his initial unfamiliarity with Hokit’s body of work was not intended as a slight, but rather a reflection of his own tunnel vision when preparing for competition.
“I’m not too much focused on everyone. I’m focused on the people around me. Before the White House, I don’t know what he did exactly, against who, stuff like that,” Gane explained. However, having observed Hokit’s progression firsthand, the champion acknowledges the impressive nature of his rival’s resume. “He did very well, he’s on a 10-0, a good run. He’s really impressed.”
The build-up to UFC 334 has not been entirely conventional, with Hokit attempting to cross the line by dragging Gane’s mother into the pre-fight verbal exchanges. For fighters with thinner skin, crude or personal taunts can serve as an effective psychological weapon, clouding judgment and drawing emotional reactions inside the cage. However, for Gane, vulgar remarks and personal insults hold zero power and fail to penetrate his characteristic composure.
“For my part, nothing’s going to change. I’ve got some value. If you want to make me do some mistake, I’m not going to do it,” stated Gane, maintaining his steadfast resolve. “If you want to say something to me, tell me. If you want to say something to my mom, let me call her. You’re going to say whatever you want to my mom, maybe she’s going to tell you ‘hey son that’s not good.’ That’s it.”
Dismissing the effectiveness of such tactics entirely, the champion reiterated his unwavering mental fortitude. “You’re going to try to get in my head, but no matter. No matter.”
While Gane is fully focused on the immediate challenge posed by Hokit at UFC 334, questions regarding the division’s wider landscape continue to linger. Prior to the current title picture taking shape, Gane was widely anticipated to face former champion Tom Aspinall in an immediate rematch. Aspinall’s decision to vacate the title due to his eye injury left many fans wondering about the true undisputed status of the division, a sentiment that Gane himself understands and ultimately shares.
Addressing the prospect of a future meeting with the English star once he is fully healed, Gane confirmed his desire to settle the unfinished business inside the Octagon.
“Yes of course. I hope a speedy recovery for him, and then we’re going to have a rematch for sure. Everyone wants to see this fight,” Gane concluded.
