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Ciryl Gane walked into UFC 334 on Saturday night expecting a heavyweight title defense.<\/p>\n
Josh Hokit showed up looking to commit five rounds of aggravated assault. The challenger threw everything at Gane, including takedowns, wild punches, elbows, and enough pressure to make a submarine jealous. For much of the fight, Hokit turned the champion\u2019s technical striking into a desperate battle for survival. Gane weathered the storm, punished Hokit\u2019s body, and found another gear when it mattered most. After 25 minutes of absolute heavyweight insanity, Gane retained his championship and reminded everyone why he\u2019s still the man to beat.<\/p>\n
Round 1<\/strong> \u2013 Hokit came flying out of his corner like a man who had absolutely no plans of fighting cautiously. The heavyweight immediately shot for a takedown and planted Gane on the canvas. Gane quickly attacked a single leg and worked his way back to his feet, but Hokit was just getting started.<\/p>\n Hokit immediately started throwing absolute nuclear bombs, looking to take Gane\u2019s head home as a souvenir. Gane answered with a sharp jab, but Hokit kept marching forward like somebody had disconnected his reverse gear. The challenger wanted complete chaos, and he was more than willing to provide it himself.<\/p>\n Hokit briefly complained about an eye poke, but referee Marc Goddard hadn\u2019t seen anything worth stopping the fight. Gane continued working behind his jab, using his movement to avoid getting dragged into H okit\u2019s preferred style of madness. Hokit kept chasing the champion around the Octagon, mixing takedown attempts with wild punches.<\/p>\n Gane continued landing clean shots, but Hokit seemed completely immune to the concept of self-preservation. The challenger ate several punches before answering with a massive right hand of his own. Gane was trying to conduct a technical striking clinic, while Hokit was treating the fight like a parking lot brawl.<\/p>\n Hokit\u2019s chin was getting tested repeatedly, and the man was passing every examination with flying colors. Gane connected with clean punches, but Hokit refused to slow down or give the champion any breathing room. The challenger started feinting takedowns before attacking upstairs, forcing Gane to constantly guess what was coming next.<\/p>\n Hokit continued mixing his attacks beautifully, getting reactions from Gane every time he threatened another takedown. Then he unloaded another enormous right hand that caught the champion clean. Gane continued circling away, but Hokit was relentless in his pursuit.<\/p>\n The challenger connected with another big right hand, keeping Gane moving backward and searching for space. Every takedown feint created another opportunity for Hokit to throw something dangerous upstairs. Gane had plenty to worry about, and Hokit was making sure the champion never got comfortable.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually connected with a clean right hand that appeared to rock Gane. The challenger kept coming forward, showing absolutely no respect for the champion\u2019s dangerous striking arsenal. At this point, Hokit was fighting like he\u2019d been promised a bonus for every punch he absorbed.<\/p>\n Hokit finally committed to another takedown attempt, but Gane defended and briefly pushed him against the fence. The champion eventually separated and connected with a knee to the body, looking to slow down the relentless challenger. Hokit continued charging forward, refusing to acknowledge that Gane was supposed to be the more technical striker.<\/p>\n Both heavyweights started loading up with ridiculous punches, turning the Octagon into a heavyweight demolition derby. Gane connected with a sharp uppercut before following up with several powerful left hands. Hokit absorbed the punishment and kept coming, showing the kind of durability that makes coaches age ten years overnight.<\/p>\n As the ridiculous pace continued, Gane finally started showing signs of slowing down. Hokit immediately recognized his opportunity and closed the distance, looking to take advantage of the champion\u2019s fading energy. The challenger got his hands on Gane, lifted him off the canvas, and slammed him to the ground.<\/p>\n Hokit immediately established side control, putting Gane in another dangerous position. The champion desperately worked to bring his legs into play and recover guard, but Hokit maintained his pressure. Hokit fought to free his arms, looking to create enough space to unload more punishment from the top.<\/p>\n With the final seconds ticking away, Hokit started raining down elbows on Gane. The challenger continued attacking until the horn sounded, putting an exclamation point on an absolutely insane opening round.<\/p>\n Hokit had promised chaos, and he delivered enough of it to make the entire heavyweight division nervous.<\/p>\n Round 2<\/strong> \u2013 Hokit came out for the second round like somebody had promised him the heavyweight championship if he never stopped moving. The challenger immediately shot for another takedown, but Gane sprawled and stuffed the attempt. Hokit couldn\u2019t have cared less, continuing the ridiculous pace that had already turned this fight into complete madness.<\/p>\n Hokit connected with a beautiful one-two combination, catching Gane clean before the champion answered with a massive uppercut. The shot landed flush, but Hokit absorbed it like somebody had thrown a pillow at his face. Seriously, somebody needed to check whether this man\u2019s chin was made of reinforced concrete.<\/p>\n Hokit immediately shot for another takedown, forcing Gane to sprawl before securing a headlock during the exchange. The challenger continued attacking from every possible angle, making the champion question every decision he made inside the Octagon. Gane was supposed to be the technical mastermind, but Hokit was turning this into a heavyweight survival exercise.<\/p>\n Gane eventually put together a nasty combination, connecting with several clean shots that would have slowed down most heavyweights. Hokit stayed directly in his face, refusing to give the champion even a second to catch his breath. Every time Gane thought he had some breathing room, Hokit was already charging forward with another attack.<\/p>\n The challenger continued shooting for takedowns before abandoning them, forcing Gane to repeatedly sprawl and scramble back into position. Hokit wasn\u2019t always looking to finish those attempts, but he was making the champion burn through his energy reserves. Gane was spending so much time defending attacks that he barely had an opportunity to establish his own offense.<\/p>\n At this point, Gane was basically trying to fight off a honey badger that had somehow learned mixed martial arts. Hokit was relentless, unpredictable, and completely unconcerned with whatever punishment the champion managed to dish out. Gane was no longer dictating the action. He was reacting to whatever insanity Hokit decided to unleash next.<\/p>\n Gane\u2019s hands began dropping, and his usually smooth footwork started disappearing as the relentless pressure took its toll. The champion was becoming increasingly flat-footed, giving Hokit opportunities to connect with clean punches. Hokit recognized the change immediately and started attacking with even more confidence, sensing that a finish might be within reach.<\/p>\n Hokit shot for another takedown, but Gane managed to secure his underhooks and defend the attempt. The challenger drove him against the fence, continuing to force the champion into exhausting grappling exchanges. Gane eventually reversed the position, briefly turning the tables before the two continued battling for control.<\/p>\n Gane was digging deep into whatever reserves of heart and determination he had left. The beautiful technique that made him one of the heavyweight division\u2019s most dangerous strikers was becoming harder to maintain. Meanwhile, Hokit continued moving forward like somebody had forgotten to install an off switch.<\/p>\n The challenger was trying to drown the champion with pressure, forcing him to fight at a pace few heavyweights could survive. Every exchange became another opportunity for Hokit to wear Gane down, whether through punches, takedown attempts, or relentless forward movement.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually connected with a clean right hand that visibly hurt Gane, putting the champion in serious trouble. Gane somehow summoned enough energy to fire back with a powerful shot of his own. However, Hokit immediately answered with more punches, continuing to connect while refusing to surrender an inch.<\/p>\n Gane was fighting with everything he had left, but Hokit was making the champion earn every second of survival.<\/p>\n Round 3<\/strong> \u2013 Gane came out desperately searching for answers, but Hokit continued making the champion\u2019s life an absolute nightmare. Every time Hokit feinted a takedown, Gane reacted like somebody had pulled the fire alarm. The challenger immediately capitalized, connecting with punches while Gane struggled to figure out what was coming next.<\/p>\n Gane started loading up on his punches, looking for the kind of shot that could finally end this madness. The problem was that Hokit had already eaten everything the champion threw at him and kept marching forward. At this point, Gane could have thrown a refrigerator at Hokit, and the challenger probably would have asked for another.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually secured a single leg, but Gane managed to escape before the challenger could complete the takedown. The champion appeared to be searching for opportunities to attack Hokit\u2019s body, hoping to slow down the relentless pressure. However, creating enough space to throw meaningful strikes was becoming nearly impossible.<\/p>\n Gane finally started connecting with knees to the body, but Hokit immediately grabbed hold of him and completed another takedown. The challenger worked his way onto Gane\u2019s back, forcing the champion to scramble toward his feet. Gane managed to stand, but Hokit remained attached to him like an unpaid parking ticket.<\/p>\n Hokit immediately drove Gane against the fence, continuing to make the champion carry his weight. Gane connected with another knee to the body, but the shot lacked the power he\u2019d displayed earlier. The relentless pace was clearly taking its toll, and Gane\u2019s gas tank was looking dangerously close to empty.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Hokit continued absorbing punches like blocking was an optional feature he\u2019d forgotten to purchase. The challenger was taking clean shots without even bothering to defend some of them, yet he refused to slow down. Hokit had to be exhausted himself, but somebody forgot to tell his body.<\/p>\n Gane eventually connected with a clean elbow, hoping to create enough space to escape the constant pressure. Hokit answered with an elbow of his own, making it clear that the champion wasn\u2019t getting a free pass. Every time Gane landed something significant, Hokit immediately responded by getting right back into his face.<\/p>\n Nothing the champion threw seemed capable of convincing Hokit to back away. Gane was fighting for breathing room, while Hokit was fighting like personal space had been outlawed. The challenger continued forcing exchanges, refusing to let the champion establish any rhythm.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually drove Gane against the fence again and started stomping on his feet. The challenger was now attacking everything from Gane\u2019s head to his toes, making sure absolutely nothing escaped punishment. Gane was already dealing with relentless punches and takedown threats, and now his feet were getting involved in the suffering.<\/p>\n Hokit followed up with a clean elbow from the clinch before finally releasing the champion. Gane immediately took advantage of the separation, connecting with a sharp one-two combination before landing a head kick. Those were the kinds of strikes that had made Gane one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world.<\/p>\n Hokit absorbed the punishment and immediately went right back to pressuring the champion.<\/p>\n The challenger refused to let Gane dictate the pace, closing the distance and forcing another exhausting clinch exchange. Hokit drove Gane back against the fence and resumed stomping on his feet, continuing his campaign of complete heavyweight harassment.<\/p>\n Hokit then connected with another nasty elbow from close range, catching Gane clean against the cage. The champion absorbed the shot, but he was still struggling to find any meaningful separation.<\/p>\n Gane had the technique, the experience, and the championship pedigree. Hokit had relentless pressure, an absurd chin, and absolutely no intention of letting the champion fight comfortably.<\/p>\n Round 4<\/strong> \u2013 Hokit went right back to his favorite strategy, shooting for takedowns and making Gane\u2019s life absolutely miserable. The challenger figured the exhausted champion would eventually become easier to drag to the canvas. However, Gane continued showing impressive takedown defense, refusing to go down despite Hokit\u2019s relentless attempts. Hokit responded by stomping on the champion\u2019s feet, because Gane clearly hadn\u2019t suffered enough already.<\/p>\n Hokit continued charging forward like a runaway freight train, throwing punches and absorbing whatever Gane fired back. The challenger had already eaten some of the champion\u2019s biggest shots, and his confidence was through the roof. At this point, Hokit knew he could take Gane\u2019s power, and he was fighting like a man without consequences.<\/p>\n The two heavyweights eventually planted their feet in the center of the Octagon and started trading bombs. Neither fighter seemed particularly concerned with defense as punches flew in both directions. For a brief moment, this looked less like a championship fight and more like two angry refrigerators settling a personal dispute.<\/p>\n The fighters eventually tied up in the clinch before separating and getting right back to throwing punches. Hokit continued attacking with whatever weapons he could find, landing shots from every possible angle. His technique wasn\u2019t always pretty, but the challenger was making sure Gane never had a comfortable second.<\/p>\n The striking numbers may have favored the champion, but Hokit was controlling the aggression and forcing the action. Gane was landing punches, but Hokit was making him fight a completely different battle than he\u2019d planned. The challenger had turned the championship fight into a test of who could survive the most punishment.<\/p>\n Gane continued connecting with clean punches to Hokit\u2019s chin and body, repeatedly finding openings in the challenger\u2019s defense. Hokit answered by selling out for another takedown, determined to finally drag the champion back to the canvas. However, Gane continued defending beautifully, refusing to surrender the position despite the relentless pressure.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually drove Gane against the fence again, looking to wear down whatever energy the champion had left. Gane responded by repeatedly driving knees into Hokit\u2019s body, connecting with several clean shots from the clinch. Most fighters would have reconsidered their approach after eating that kind of punishment.<\/p>\n Hokit just kept coming.<\/p>\n The challenger absorbed knee after knee, refusing to release the pressure or give Gane an opportunity to escape. His determination was becoming almost ridiculous, especially considering how much punishment he\u2019d already taken throughout the fight. Hokit was fighting like somebody had replaced his survival instincts with a permanent green light.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Gane seemed to realize that Hokit\u2019s punches weren\u2019t going to scare him away either. The champion stopped worrying about avoiding every exchange and started accepting the kind of ugly war Hokit wanted. If the challenger wanted to stand in front of him and trade punches, Gane was more than willing to participate.<\/p>\n Gane began firing back with combinations, mixing punches upstairs with punishing knees to the body. The champion was investing heavily in body shots, hoping the accumulated damage would finally slow Hokit\u2019s ridiculous pace. For the first time, Hokit appeared to be losing a little steam as the punishment started adding up.<\/p>\n Even with his energy fading, Hokit continued marching forward and forcing Gane into another exhausting exchange. The champion was finding success with his striking, but the challenger refused to give him control of the fight.<\/p>\n Hokit had turned the Octagon into a war of attrition, and Gane was being forced to fight every second of it.<\/p>\n Round 5<\/strong> \u2013 Hokit came charging forward for another takedown, but Gane continued refusing to cooperate with the challenger\u2019s wrestling plans. Hokit drove the champion against the fence, desperately trying to drag him to the canvas. Gane simply shoved him away, making it clear that he had absolutely no intention of spending another second underneath Hokit.<\/p>\n The champion started putting together much cleaner offense, and for the first time, Hokit was visibly feeling the punishment. Gane began connecting with combinations, forcing the challenger to absorb even more damage. Hokit continued marching forward, but the ridiculous pace he\u2019d maintained throughout the fight was finally catching up with him.<\/p>\n Gane kept landing clean punches while Hokit threw whatever he could find in return. The challenger was still connecting with occasional single shots, but Gane was starting to take control of the exchanges. Every time Hokit landed something, the champion answered with more offense.<\/p>\n The champion started walking Hokit down, connecting with punches while forcing the challenger to fight off his back foot. All those knees and punches to the body were finally looking like a brilliant investment. Hokit had spent the fight treating Gane\u2019s offense like a minor inconvenience, but the bill was finally coming due.<\/p>\n Gane connected with a massive right hand that stunned Hokit, giving the champion an opportunity to unleash more punishment. The champion immediately started putting together combinations, landing clean shots as Hokit struggled to regain control. Somehow, Hokit continued walking forward, using his pressure to push Gane backward despite the damage.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually grabbed a single leg, but couldn\u2019t turn the position into a takedown. The challenger continued throwing punches, but Gane was now dictating the pace and forcing Hokit to react. Hokit shot for another takedown, only for Gane to shove him away like he was refusing an unwanted sales pitch.<\/p>\n Hokit managed to push Gane against the fence again, but the champion immediately fought his way out. The challenger fired another series of punches, looking to regain the momentum he\u2019d controlled earlier. Gane angled away from the attack and connected with clean shots, continuing to frustrate Hokit\u2019s attempts to get close.<\/p>\n The champion was now putting together combinations with the kind of precision that had been missing during the earlier chaos. Hokit was still dangerous, but Gane was finally getting opportunities to showcase his superior technical striking.<\/p>\n Then Hokit somehow found another reserve of energy.<\/p>\n The challenger started firing punches again, refusing to accept that his body had already been through a heavyweight demolition derby. However, Gane was now standing directly in his face, forcing Hokit to retreat for stretches of the action. For a fighter who had spent most of the night moving forward, walking backward was unfamiliar territory.<\/p>\n Hokit eventually connected with several clean punches, forcing Gane to give ground and briefly relieving the pressure. The challenger continued fighting with everything he had left, determined to make the champion earn every second. Gane quickly regained his rhythm, stepping forward and getting right back to work.<\/p>\n During another clinch exchange, Gane connected with a sharp uppercut before breaking away and landing a clean right hand. The champion was now finding openings everywhere, punishing Hokit whenever the challenger tried closing the distance. Gane followed up with a beautiful jab, keeping Hokit from establishing the relentless pressure that had caused so many problems.<\/p>\n Hokit continued trying to march forward, throwing punches and searching for one final opportunity to change the momentum. Gane answered with combinations of his own, refusing to surrender the ground he\u2019d worked so hard to reclaim.<\/p>\n With the final seconds ticking away, both heavyweights abandoned any thoughts of taking it easy. Hokit and Gane stood their ground and continued firing punches until the horn finally sounded.<\/p>\n What started as Hokit\u2019s relentless assault had turned into a brutal test of survival for both men. Gane had weathered the storm and fought his way back into the action, while Hokit refused to stop swinging.<\/p>\n In the end the champ remained the champ and Ciryl Gane earned the respect of the MMA world.<\/p>\n