UFC 334 Predictions: Gane vs. Hokit Picks, Odds and Fight Breakdown

Our UFC 334 prediction is Ciryl Gane to defeat Josh Hokit, with a fourth-round TKO our preferred finishing scenario. Gane's movement, striking defense and experience over five rounds give him the edge, but Hokit's wrestling could make this a much more difficult title defense than the betting odds suggest.

UFC 334 takes place Saturday, November 14, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Gane makes his first defense of the undisputed heavyweight championship against an undefeated challenger who has reached a title fight less than a year after his UFC debut.

The co-main event is another championship matchup, with Kayla Harrison defending her women's bantamweight title against returning former champion Amanda Nunes.

Here's how we see the main event unfolding, where the betting value might be and which other fights deserve attention.

UFC 334 Predictions: Our Main Card Picks

Gane is our strongest technical lean among the two championship fights. Harrison and Nunes is much closer, while Medić against Holland offers one of the more interesting striking matchups on the card.

Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit Prediction

Pick: Ciryl Gane to win

Projected method: TKO, Round 4

Gane enters Saturday's main event with the experience advantage, but Hokit has earned his opportunity.

The American's rise has been unusually quick. After making his UFC debut in November 2025, Hokit defeated Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision in April 2026 and stopped Derrick Lewis in the second round two months later.

Those results matter. Blaydes is an experienced heavyweight wrestler, while Lewis remains one of the division's most dangerous knockout artists. Hokit has already shown that he can handle different kinds of opposition.

Gane, however, presents a problem neither opponent could replicate.

The Frenchman is an unusually mobile heavyweight. He controls distance with his feet, changes angles after combinations and makes opponents work to get close enough to land.

He also has the experience of facing Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira.

Interestingly, Gane and Hokit both competed at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn in June, and both left with impressive second-round stoppage victories. Gane outclassed Alex Pereira on the feet before finishing him with strikes, while Hokit dominated Derrick Lewis, using his wrestling to control the opening round before securing a TKO in the second. Those performances helped set up Saturday's heavyweight title fight.

Gane's previous title opportunity against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321 ended in controversy. The Frenchman had made a promising start, landing clean shots and bloodying Aspinall's nose, before an accidental eye poke forced the fight to be stopped at 4:35 of the opening round. The bout was ruled a no contest, leaving unanswered questions about how the matchup might have developed. Gane was finding early success, but the fight ended too soon to draw firm conclusions.

His knockout victory over Pereira in June earned him the interim title before he became undisputed champion following Aspinall's departure from the title picture.

The question on Saturday isn't whether Hokit belongs at this level. His recent wins have largely answered that.

It's whether he can consistently close the distance against a fighter who has built his career around preventing exactly that.

Gane vs. Hokit Tale of the Tape

Statistics are rounded pre-fight career figures. Per-minute and grappling averages reflect different sample sizes and levels of opposition.

Two numbers immediately stand out: Gane's 7.5-inch reach advantage and the difference in significant strikes absorbed.

Gane absorbs 2.31 significant strikes per minute, compared with 5.28 for Hokit. That is a meaningful difference, although it needs context.

Hokit has spent much of his professional career finishing opponents quickly. His aggressive style produces high offensive numbers, but it also creates exchanges in which he can be hit.

Gane generally works at a more controlled pace. He is comfortable spending time outside punching range, using kicks to manage distance and waiting for openings.

Hokit's 9.29 significant strikes landed per minute is impressive, but that rate comes from a considerably smaller UFC sample.

It would be a mistake to assume he will maintain the same output against a more elusive opponent over five rounds.

Where Gane Has the Advantage

Distance Management and Striking Defense

Gane's greatest strength is his ability to make heavyweight opponents fight on his terms.

He rarely needs to stand directly in front of someone to generate offense. His footwork allows him to attack, change position and force opponents to reset before they can respond.

Against Hokit, that movement will be essential.

The challenger wants to pressure forward and create opportunities through physical exchanges. If Gane stays near the fence too long, he risks giving Hokit the clinch and wrestling positions he needs.

The champion should look to establish his jab early, use kicks to interrupt Hokit's forward movement and attack the body when the challenger begins loading up on punches.

Gane doesn't need to dominate every exchange.

He needs to make Hokit work harder to reach him than he does to land his own strikes.

Experience in Longer Fights

Gane has already fought deep into championship contests.

Hokit has never competed beyond three rounds as a professional.

That is an important unknown, particularly given the challenger's aggressive approach.

Wrestling repeatedly against a moving heavyweight can be exhausting, even when the takedown attempts are successful. Failed attempts can be equally costly if the opponent forces a reset and immediately returns to striking at distance.

Gane's experience doesn't guarantee better conditioning, but it gives us more evidence of how he performs in extended fights.

If Hokit cannot establish control during the opening two rounds, the physical demands of his approach could become increasingly difficult to manage.

Where Hokit Can Win

Wrestling Remains Gane's Biggest Question

There is a clear reason Hokit and his team have discussed Jon Jones' victory over Gane.

Jones submitted the Frenchman in the opening round of their 2023 heavyweight championship fight. Francis Ngannou also found success using wrestling against Gane in their 2022 meeting.

Hokit has the background to test that part of the champion's game.

He wrestled collegiately at Fresno State before moving into professional MMA, and his ability to combine physical pressure with offensive grappling has become an important part of his development.

But there is a difference between having a wrestling advantage on paper and consistently applying it against Gane.

Hokit needs to cut off the Octagon rather than simply follow the champion around it.

He should look to push Gane toward the fence, threaten takedowns and make him defend several attacks in succession.

Even if Hokit cannot secure prolonged control, forcing Gane to worry about the takedown could create openings for his punches.

The challenge is doing that without taking too much damage on the way inside.

Early Pressure Could Change the Fight

Hokit is most dangerous when he can dictate the pace.

Six of his ten professional victories have come in the opening round, and he has shown the ability to finish opponents with both strikes and submissions.

If he starts quickly, forces Gane backward and establishes a wrestling threat, the champion could find himself in a difficult fight before he has settled into his rhythm.

That is the clearest upset scenario.

We would be less confident in Gane if Hokit consistently secures takedowns and keeps him against the fence through the first ten minutes.

The problem for the challenger is that a high-pressure approach also creates opportunities for an accurate counterstriker.

Gane has the tools to punish predictable entries, particularly as the fight progresses.

UFC 334 Odds: Gane vs. Hokit

The UFC's published pre-fight odds make Gane the favorite. New York bettors can also explore available fight markets through our BetMGM Sportsbook NY review, including moneyline, method-of-victory and round betting options. Prices and market availability may differ between sportsbooks.

Odds snapshot: UFC event page, checked November 10, 2026. Prices vary by sportsbook and may change before fight night. Implied probabilities include bookmaker margin.

At -210, a $100 winning bet on Gane would return approximately $47.62 in profit, plus the original stake.

A $100 winning bet on Hokit at +175 would return $175 in profit, plus the stake.

The market clearly favors the champion, but that doesn't automatically make his moneyline a good bet.

A favorite can be the most likely winner without offering attractive value at the available price.

Is Gane Worth Betting at -210?

We agree with Gane being favored, but we are more interested in how he wins than simply backing him at any price.

Hokit has been aggressive throughout his professional career, and his defensive numbers suggest that he can be hit.

If his wrestling becomes less effective as the fight progresses, Gane should have opportunities to increase his output and potentially force a stoppage.

That makes Gane by KO/TKO an interesting market to investigate.

However, the price matters.

A method-of-victory wager should only be considered if its odds compensate for the possibility that Gane wins a decision or Hokit disrupts the striking exchanges with his wrestling.

Without a verified method-of-victory price, we are not labeling that wager a value bet.

Before placing a wager, it's worth comparing prices across multiple operators. Our guide to the best UFC sportsbookscovers leading New York betting apps, available MMA markets and the features that matter when betting on fight night.

Our betting lean: Gane to win, with Gane by KO/TKO worth comparing against the moneyline.

Our Round-by-Round Fight Prediction

Rounds 1–2: Hokit Tests the Champion

We expect Hokit to start aggressively.

He should look to close the distance early, pressure Gane toward the fence and establish the possibility of a takedown.

Gane will likely spend much of the opening round measuring distance and trying to prevent prolonged clinch exchanges.

This could be the most dangerous period for the champion.

If Hokit can get Gane down and maintain control, he may bank valuable early rounds or create a finishing opportunity.

Round 3: Gane Begins Finding His Rhythm

Our projected turning point comes around the middle of the fight.

If Gane has avoided significant damage and prolonged ground control, he should have a better understanding of Hokit's entries.

We expect him to increase his use of straight punches, kicks and combinations as the challenger moves forward.

Hokit may still be dangerous, but his willingness to exchange could begin working against him.

Rounds 4–5: The Champion's Experience Matters

A fourth-round stoppage is our preferred scenario.

That prediction depends on Gane successfully defending enough takedowns to keep the fight standing.

If Hokit slows, Gane's accuracy and ability to attack from different angles could become increasingly important.

We can envision the champion hurting Hokit during an exchange and following up with enough strikes to force a referee intervention.

A decision victory is also entirely plausible, particularly if Hokit remains durable and continues threatening takedowns.

Final prediction: Ciryl Gane by TKO in Round 4.

UFC 334 Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes Prediction

Pick: Kayla Harrison to win

The co-main event is arguably the most difficult fight on the card to predict.

Harrison brings elite grappling, physical strength and a style built around controlling opponents on the ground.

Nunes, meanwhile, is one of the most accomplished fighters in women's MMA history.

Her striking power, defensive wrestling and experience against elite opposition make her a dangerous opponent even after an extended period away from competition.

Harrison averages 2.84 takedowns per 15 minutes and has built much of her success around establishing dominant positions.

Nunes has historically been difficult to control, with strong takedown defense and the ability to punish opponents who enter carelessly.

The central question is whether Harrison can consistently put Nunes on her back.

If she can, her positional control and submission threat could determine the fight.

If Nunes keeps the contest standing, Harrison will have to deal with one of the most dangerous strikers she has faced.

We lean toward Harrison because of her ability to impose a grappling-heavy fight, but this is not a matchup where we see a compelling reason to take a short price without further consideration.

NYSafeBets pick: Kayla Harrison.

Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui Prediction

Pick: Caio Borralho to win

Borralho faces a difficult striking assignment against the much taller Belgaroui.

The Dutch fighter stands 6'6", owns a 79-inch reach and has extensive striking experience. Nine of his eleven professional MMA victories have come by knockout.

Borralho, however, has a more varied approach.

He can compete on the feet, but his ability to mix striking with takedowns gives him additional options if Belgaroui establishes his preferred distance.

We expect Borralho to avoid spending extended periods in a pure kickboxing contest.

His best route is to interrupt Belgaroui's rhythm, close the distance selectively and use his grappling to make the fight less predictable.

Belgaroui is dangerous enough to punish mistakes, particularly if Borralho struggles to get inside.

Still, we favor Borralho's broader MMA skill set.

NYSafeBets pick: Caio Borralho.

Uroš Medić vs. Kevin Holland Prediction

Pick: Uroš Medić to win

Medić against Holland could produce one of the most entertaining fights of the night.

Medić is an aggressive finisher with 12 knockouts among his 14 professional victories. He attacks quickly and has rarely needed much time to establish his offense.

Holland presents a different challenge.

The American has an enormous reach advantage, measuring 81 inches compared with Medić's 71.

He is also experienced, unpredictable and capable of winning by both knockout and submission.

Medić cannot afford to stand at the end of Holland's punches.

He needs to close the distance intelligently, attack the body and create exchanges where his power becomes a factor.

The danger is that Holland can punish reckless entries and has the grappling ability to capitalize if the fight reaches the mat.

This is not a comfortable matchup for either man.

We lean toward Medić's finishing ability, but Holland has enough weapons to make an upset entirely realistic.

NYSafeBets pick: Uroš Medić.

Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule Prediction

Pick: Bilal Hasan to win

Hasan enters as one of the card's biggest betting favorites.

His unbeaten professional record and early UFC success have made him a difficult opponent to oppose on paper.

Gurule will need to disrupt Hasan's rhythm and create exchanges rather than allow the favorite to establish control.

We expect Hasan to be the more reliable fighter over the scheduled three rounds.

However, his heavily favored moneyline offers limited potential profit relative to the risk of an MMA upset.

NYSafeBets pick: Bilal Hasan.

UFC 334 Fight Card, Start Times and How to Watch in New York

UFC 334 takes place at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

The main card is scheduled to stream on Paramount+.

The exact start time for Gane vs. Hokit depends on the duration of the earlier fights.

UFC 334 Main Card

• Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit — Heavyweight Championship

• Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes — Women's Bantamweight Championship

• Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui — Middleweight

• Uroš Medić vs. Kevin Holland — Welterweight

• Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule — Flyweight

Notable Preliminary Fights

• Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke

• Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan

• Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney

• Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida

• Jared Gordon vs. Melquizael Costa

• Macy Chiasson vs. Bia Mesquita

Stephen Thompson's scheduled farewell fight adds another storyline to an already significant night at Madison Square Garden.

The fight card is subject to change.

Final Verdict: Gane or Hokit?

Josh Hokit has done enough to deserve this opportunity. His wins over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis demonstrate that he is more than an undefeated prospect with an interesting background.

But Gane is a difficult opponent for an aggressive heavyweight to solve.

His movement makes sustained pressure difficult, his striking defense limits unnecessary damage and his experience gives him a clearer record of success in longer fights.

Hokit's wrestling remains the biggest concern. If he consistently gets Gane to the ground, the champion could find himself in trouble.

We expect Gane to survive the challenger's early pressure, establish his striking range and become increasingly effective as the fight progresses.

Final NYSafeBets prediction: Ciryl Gane defeats Josh Hokit by fourth-round TKO.

This article contains independent pre-fight analysis and predictions, not guaranteed outcomes. Odds are subject to change. Sports betting in New York is restricted to adults aged 21 and older. If gambling becomes a problem, call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).