Ciryl Gane defended his UFC heavyweight title on Saturday in New York, defeating American challenger Josh Hokit by unanimous decision after five intense rounds at Madison Square Garden.
The victory preserved the heavyweight championship for the 36-year-old Frenchman, nicknamed “Bon Gamin,” who faced a relentless challenge from the 29-year-old American, known as “The Incredible Hok,” RFI reported.
Fighting in front of a crowd largely backing the challenger, Gane absorbed early pressure before seizing control in the later rounds as fatigue set in for Hokit. The champion landed severe strikes in the closing minutes, but the bout went the distance to the judges’ scorecards.
“I’m still focused, I’m a warrior, he is too, and it was an incredible fight,” Ciryl Gane told the crowd from inside the octagon immediately after the decision.
The title defense followed a turbulent stretch for the division’s top tier. In June 2026, during a special event at the White House celebrating the 80th birthday of U.S. President Donald Trump, Gane defeated Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira to claim the interim heavyweight belt.
Because the division’s previously undisputed champion, Tom Aspinall, remained sidelined due to an eye injury sustained against Gane, the Frenchman was elevated to undisputed champion roughly a month and a half prior to the New York card, fulfilling a career ambition after three previous unsuccessful title bids.
Hokit entered the championship match on the back of four UFC victories, including a win over veteran Derrick Lewis. A former collegiate wrestler and football player who nearly reached the NFL, the American challenger pushed the champion throughout Saturday’s five-round contest.
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