Matt Brown Claims Josh Hokit Got UFC 334 Title Shot for "His Mouth and Antics"
Matt Brown does not think Josh Hokit got the heavyweight title shot over Alexander Volkov based on his performances in the octagon alone.
UFC veteran Matt Brown is calling it as he sees it when it comes to the heavyweight division's latest title fight announcement. With Josh Hokit set to challenge Ciryl Gane for heavyweight gold at UFC 334, fan reactions have been sharply divided. While Hokit's undefeated streak has turned heads, many fight purists felt longtime contender Alexander Volkov was more deserving of the opportunity. Brown agrees with that sentiment, and he did not hold back on why Hokit leapfrogged the rankings.
"My issue with the whole thing is, I think Volkov probably deserves it more," Brown said during a recent interview. "I think he's probably the deserving guy to get the title shot right now, over Hokit. Hokit is getting it based off his mouth and based off his antics. Fair enough. Fair game. Itā€™s entertainment, not sport."
Entertainment Over Pure Sport in the Heavyweight Picture
Brown's assessment highlights a reality combat sports fans know all too well: loud personalities and heel tactics can accelerate a championship run faster than quiet resume-building. Volkov currently sits at No. 2 in the official UFC heavyweight rankings with a 40-11 professional record, boasting key victories over top-tier opposition and waiting patiently for his shot.
By contrast, Hokit carries an unblemished 10-0 record, including a 4-0 mark inside the Octagon, along with a staggering 10.28 significant strikes landed per minute according to official UFC stats. While those numbers prove the Division I wrestler is a legitimate threat, Brown believes Hokit's willingness to embrace the villain role sealed the deal with UFC matchmakers.
For Hokit, leaning into the spotlight paid off in a massive way. Whether fans tune in to root for him or hope to see him lose, his ability to generate noise made him impossible to pass up. Volkov may have built the stronger argument on paper, but Hokit understood how to sell the fightā€”proving once again that in modern MMA, promotional clout can be just as valuable as ranking points.
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