Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit set for UFC 334; Gane promoted to undisputed heavyweight champ after all

MVP Boxing |  

Ciryl Gane is the new undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after all — and he already has his first undisputed title defense on the books.

UFC announced Saturday during UFC 331’s main card broadcast that Gane will face polarizing heavyweight contender Josh Hokit on Nov. 14 in the headlining bout of UFC 334 inside New York’s famed Madison Square Garden. The promotion also confirmed that Gane, a two-time interim champion, has been elevated to undisputed status following Tom Aspinall’s vacating of the belt.

The news arrives less than 24 hours after UFC CEO Dana White publicly pooh-poohed the idea of Gane being promoted to undisputed champion without fighting another bout.

In addition to Gane vs. Hokit, the UFC announced the long-awaited superfight between UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes has been rebooked for the co-main event of UFC 334.

Aspinall announced Monday that he was relinquishing the heavyweight title because of ongoing complications from the eye injuries he suffered against Gane in October 2025. Their UFC title fight infamously ended in a no-contest after Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes midway through the opening round, leaving Aspinall unable to continue. Aspinall remains sidelined with no clear timetable for his return, having suffered another setback to his right eye while preparing for a Nov. 14 rematch with Gane at UFC 334.

The injury in Aspinall's right eye is reaggravated to the point of being "the same as day one," sources told Uncrowned this week.

"I don't [know when he's going to be back]," White told Sportsnet on Friday. "Obviously whenever he feels healthy again, whenever his eyes are healed, then we're ready for him.

"This is nothing new. This happens sometimes. It's unfortunate. Not the best outcome, but it is what it is."

Gane captured the interim heavyweight title in Aspinall's absence this past June, controversially defeating Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250.

Following Aspinall’s decision to vacate the belt, Hokit publicly called for his chance to "give Ciryl what he has coming." Now, he’ll get his chance.