Gane defends heavyweight title against Hokit at UFC 334

Ciryl Gane makes the first defence of his UFC heavyweight title against Josh Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday night, according to CBS Sports.

The card is the promotion's annual New York show, which CBS Sports describes as one of the most anticipated events of the year.

A division finding its feet

CBS Sports says the heavyweight division is stabilising after years of turbulence. It cites Francis Ngannou's departure from the promotion, Jon Jones' retirement and Tom Aspinall's eye injury as factors that kept the title picture in flux.

Gane had previously challenged all three for the title. He then knocked out Alex Pereira at The White House and, as the new champion, is said to be keen to fight more often.

Hokit's rapid rise

Hokit has gone from UFC debutant to title challenger in a year. CBS Sports says beating Gane would complete one of the most impressive first 12 months in the promotion's history, comparable to those of Pereira, Israel Adesanya and Brock Lesnar.

The outlet acknowledges that Hokit's antics rub many people the wrong way, but argues that his bout with Curtis Blaydes, a Fight of the Year frontrunner, showed he is more than a showman. It says he also made a statement at UFC Freedom 250.

Harrison and Nunes in the co-main event

Kayla Harrison faces Amanda Nunes in the co-main event. CBS Sports lists two Olympic judo gold medals, a UFC title and two PFL tournament wins on Harrison's record. It will be her first fight since career-threatening neck surgery.

Nunes is returning from a three-year retirement. CBS Sports rates her the best women's MMA fighter of all time, pointing to wins over former UFC champions Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie (twice) and Miesha Tate.

Rest of the card

Caio Borralho meets Yousri Belgaouri. CBS Sports says Borralho is 8-1 at middleweight since his promotional debut in 2022, while Belgaouri has knocked out all three of his opponents in his first three appearances.

Uros Medic faces the veteran Kevin Holland. Medic was knocked out by Punahele Soriano in January 2025 but has since won four in a row by first-round knockout, according to CBS Sports.

Who do you think will leave Madison Square Garden with the heavyweight title?