Cain Velasquez is one of the greatest heavyweights to ever compete in the sport of mixed martial arts, and the division, the sport – as well as the UFC – have changed a lot since he last competed. That includes the rapid rise of Josh Hokit, who gets his first shot at UFC gold this weekend.
Hokit is set to challenge Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 334, which takes place Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Hokit has competed in the promotion four times, including a 3-0 run in 2026 featuring a Fight of the Year contender against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in April, as well as a stoppage of Derrick Lewis at UFC White House.
On top of that, Hokit has made waves for some of the comments he’s made about his opponents, their family members and even Michelle Obama that have rubbed people the wrong way – including UFC CEO Dana White. Velasquez, a former multiple-time UFC heavyweight champion, was asked about Hokit’s rise ahead of the biggest fight of his career.
“So, Hokit, as far as his fighting ability, he definitely proved himself to be a well-known mixed martial artist,” Velasquez told MMA Fighting. “He deserves what he gets as a title shot, you know? He fought these guys to get there.
“And he also takes the path, a bit like a Conor McGregor, to speak in a way that creates tension.”
Gane is coming off two controversial contest wins in his two most recent fights. In October 2025, at UFC 321, Gane’s fight with then-champion Tom Aspinall was declared a no contest after Gane threw a gnarly eye poke. Aspinall has not competed since and ended up losing the title.
“Bon Gamin” then faced Alex Pereira for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Maison Blanche. Gane finished, but shots to the back of the head during the final sequence stole some of the allure of victory. After Aspinall’s departure, Gane was promoted to undisputed champion.
Velasquez believes Gane’s reign will be short-lived.
“No, I think Josh is going to surprise people (Saturday),” Velasquez said. “He’s complete, you know? I think a lot more complete than Gane. So I think Hokit, yeah, is going to surprise a lot of people with his great wrestling, his great hands, as you saw.
“When it comes time to fight on a big stage, that’s the hardest part that everyone watches. Where you have to go out and do it that day, that moment. He proved it. I see him winning this fight.”
Gn sports
