UFC Hall of Famer Chris Weidman has shared his insight on how Josh Hokit can overcome UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 334. Despite having less than a year of UFC experience, Hokit is set to challenge Gane for the undisputed heavyweight title on November 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Although Gane is favored to win according to betting odds, Weidman believes Hokit has a viable strategy to secure an upset victory. Speaking on the “Deep Waters” podcast, he highlighted Hokit’s capability to overpower opponents with relentless pressure, comparing his style to Cain Velasquez’s dominant approach.
Weidman noted, “Watching Hokit before his fight with Curtis Blaydes, I saw him control fighters similarly to how Velasquez used to—continuous punches from dominant positions, effectively ragdolling his opponents. He definitely has the potential to do the same to Ciryl Gane.”
Acknowledging Gane’s strengths, Weidman pointed out Gane’s history of being taken down, referencing losses to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. He explained that Gane’s fast, footwork-heavy style demands significant cardio, which Hokit’s relentless forward pressure could exploit over the course of the fight. He added that Hokit’s constant aggression could wear Gane down, making Hokit’s high-pressure style a difficult challenge for the champion.
As someone who famously ended Anderson Silva’s 16-fight win streak, Weidman understands what it takes to pull off a major upset. Now, all eyes will be on UFC 334 to see if Hokit can implement this strategy successfully and claim the heavyweight title.
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Fan Take: This analysis from Weidman is exciting for fight fans because it highlights how a relatively new contender can use style and pressure to unseat a dominant champion, reminding us that in MMA, anything can happen. If Hokit pulls off the upset, it could shake up the heavyweight division and inspire a new wave of aggressive fighters focused on relentless pace and physicality.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
