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Michael Bisping believes Josh Hokit has the ingredients to make UFC 334 entertaining, but sees Ciryl Gane as a difficult assignment for the unbeaten heavyweight. The former UFC middleweight champion said Hokit will need to lean on his wrestling when they meet for the heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden on November 14.

Gane enters the New York main event as the interim UFC heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the belt. The Frenchman previously stopped Alex Pereira in the second round of their interim-title fight at UFC Freedom 250.

Bisping pointed to that display as evidence of how hard he is to solve in open space. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping said the game plan is clear for Hokit.

“A Big Mountain to Climb”: Michael Bisping Sends Warning to Josh Hokit Before UFC 334

Josh Hokit is going to wrestle Ciryl Gane. That’s just a fact. He has to wrestle Ciryl Gane,” Bisping said. “Ciryl Gane moves so well on the feet… He’s very, very light on the feet. He is very athletic, very explosive, and more importantly, really technical.” Hokit has moved fast since arriving through Dana White’s Contender Series. He is 10-0 as a professional, with four UFC wins following his Contender Series appearance, and three of those UFC victories ended inside the first round.

His route to this title shot included a decision win over Curtis Blaydes in a fight Bisping called a Fight of the Year contender, followed by a first-round knockout of Derrick Lewis. The American has built his profile through a busy schedule, a high-output style and a social-media presence that has made him one of the division’s most talked-about newcomers.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Josh Hokit speaks to Joe Rogan following his win in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Bisping acknowledged that Hokit brings real athletic tools to the table, citing his wrestling base and professional football background, while also noting his willingness to throw with volume and chase exchanges. That approach could create problems, but Bisping believes it also gives Gane targets to work with.

Hokit often drives forward behind his pressure and takedown threat, which can force opponents into hurried reactions. Against Gane, though, Bisping warned that loose entries and defensive gaps could be costly. He said Hokit needs a tighter guard, cleaner striking and successful takedowns if he is going to change the shape of the fight.

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 02: Ciryl Gane of France is interviewed after defeating Serghei Spivac of Moldova in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 02, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Jon Jones quickly took him down and submitted him in their 2023 title fight, a result that continues to define the main question around the champion’s grappling. But Bisping argued that Gane has improved in that area. He referenced Aspinall’s inability to land a double-leg takedown during the first round of their contest, while adding the fair caveat that four more rounds would have remained.

Gane’s wrestling has improved, but UFC 270 remains a useful reference point for Hokit. Francis Ngannou shifted away from his usual knockout-first approach after losing ground in the early striking exchanges, landing four takedowns from five attempts and using top control to win a unanimous decision over Gane. The champion was able to secure a takedown of his own in the fifth round, but his ankle-lock attempt allowed Ngannou to reverse position and finish the fight on top.

ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 22: Francis Ngannou (top) controls the body of Ciryl Gane in their Heavyweight championship fight during UFC 270 on January 22, 2022, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“It’s a real challenge. It’s a real struggle. It is a big mountain to climb for Josh Hokit,” Bisping said. Still, he stopped short of dismissing the challenger, noting that Hokit has kept winning, stopped opponents and handled the spotlight during a short UFC tenure.

The fight also comes with a major co-main event, as Kayla Harrison is rumored to face Amanda Nunes. Between Hokit’s talk-heavy build-up, Gane’s technical style and the heavyweight belt at stake, UFC 334 has plenty of material for Madison Square Garden before the first bell even rings.

Image via: Getty