Josh Hokit targets Ciryl Gane over Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira illegal strike controversies

Josh Hokit has been going all out with his verbal warfare against a few prominent fellow UFC heavyweights. "The Incredible Hok" has now launched another tirade, this time against Ciryl Gane. 

France's Gane is the newly-crowned interim UFC heavyweight champion, having captured the title on the same fight card that Hokit competed on -- UFC Freedom 250.

The outspoken American heavyweight has taken aim at Gane, referencing the latter's illegal strike controversies related to his fights against Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira. 

Josh Hokit and Ciryl Gane could collide in the near future

The undefeated Josh Hokit previously played American Football and also enjoyed an impressive career as an amateur wrestler. The Californian competed in the UFC-affiliated DWCS (Dana White's Contender Series) in August of last year, and he made his main roster debut in November. 

The 28-year-old has accrued a professional mixed martial arts record of 10-0 -- with six victories coming via KO/TKO, three by way of submission, and one by decision. He's coming off a dominant second-round TKO win over former UFC heavyweight championship challenger Derrick Lewis. 

The Hokit vs. Lewis matchup was one of two heavyweight bouts on the special seven-fight card, with the event being held at the White House in Washington on June 14.

The other heavyweight clash saw Ciryl Gane become a two-time interim UFC heavyweight titlist by stopping divisional newcomer Alex Pereira via second-round TKO.

The consensus is that Hokit could be a potential future opponent for Gane and Pereira, given his recent ascent among the top fighters in the organization's heaviest weight class. 

Josh Hokit lambasts Ciryl Gane over Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira fight controversies

Ciryl Gane clashed against reigning UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall in October of last year. Unfortunately, their fight ended in an NC (No Contest), as Aspinall was eye-poked by "Bon Gamin" and rendered unable to continue. 

The Englishman has since been working hard to recover and is yet to be medically cleared to compete. He's also undergone eye surgeries. Many fans and experts criticized Gane for the eye pokes, a maneuver that's illegal in MMA competition.

For his part, Gane and his team suggested that the eye pokes were inadvertent and that he didn't intend to use any illegal move inside the octagon. 

Nevertheless, Gane's very next fight also, coincidentally, ended in a rather controversial manner. He fought former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at the aforementioned UFC Freedom 250 event. 

Gane dropped "Poatan" with a jab and then landed what seemed to be multiple elbows to the back of the Brazilian fighter's head. The finish came soon thereafter, as he TKO'd Pereira in the second round to win interim UFC heavyweight gold.

The French combatant is now expected to rematch Tom Aspinall in a title unifier matchup when Aspinall returns from his injury break. Pereira and a number of others have lambasted Gane for the seemingly illegal strikes, even criticizing Referee Herb Dean. 

Considering the variables at play, Josh Hokit put forth an X post earlier today and jibed at Gane's illegal strike controversies. 

Hokit, who's on the hunt for world titles, mockingly wrote, "The Incredible Hok's eyes would break Ciryl Gane's fingers and the back of my head would shatter his elbow. I insist that Herb ref our fight." 

 

The Incredible Hok's eyes would break Ciryl Gane's fingers and the back of my head would shatter his elbow.
I insist that Herb ref our fight.

— The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC) June 23, 2026