Ciryl Gane proved why technical mastery still rules the heavyweight division Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, outlasting undefeated challenger Josh Hokit via unanimous decision in the UFC 334 main event to retain his undisputed heavyweight championship in front of an electric New York crowd.

AND STILLLL

Ciryl Gane wins by unanimous decision and remains the heavyweight champ!!

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— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) November 15, 2026

In a blistering five-round war that shattered promotional records, Gane and Hokit combined for 388 total strikes landed, marking the highest combined strike output in UFC heavyweight history. Rather than folding under the relentless pace of the 29-year-old former Division I wrestler, the French champion matched Hokit's volume beat for beat while showcasing superior precision, footwork and defensive poise.

Gane, who captured interim gold against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 before being elevated to undisputed champion, used his eight-inch reach advantage early to establish sharp jabs, calf kicks and crisp straight counters. Hokit entered the Octagon at 10-0 after statement victories over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis and refused to take a backward step. Pressing forward through heavy fire, the Bakersfield native forced repeated clinch exchanges along the fence and tested Gane's takedown defense throughout the championship rounds.

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Each time Hokit closed the distance, however, Gane answered with punishing knees to the body, short elbows in the tie-up and fluid lateral pivots back into open space, repeatedly resetting the range before Hokit could chain his wrestling attacks together. As the bout entered the fourth and fifth frames, Hokit's output remained stubbornly high, fueling the historic 388-strike tally, yet Gane landed the cleaner, more damaging blows down the stretch.

When the final horn sounded, all three cageside judges awarded the hard-fought unanimous decision to Gane. Improving to 15-2 with one no-contest, “Bon Gamin” handed Hokit his first professional defeat, snapped his 10-fight winning streak and cemented his place atop the heavyweight division in historic fashion.