MMA fans give mixed reactions after Ciryl Gane addresses Josh Hokit heavyweight title fight at UFC 334

Ciryl Gane is all set to defend his UFC heavyweight championship against polarizing American heavyweight star Josh Hokit. The Gane vs. Hokit heavyweight title matchup will headline UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York on November 14. 

Gane was recently promoted from interim champion to the undisputed champion after Tom Aspinall, who's still dealing with eye injury issues, vacated his heavyweight title. 

Well, Gane, on his part, took to social media and expressed his elation about his upcoming fight. MMA fans soon chimed in with their reactions to the same, with some supporting him, while others backed Hokit. 

Ciryl Gane has been crowned the UFC heavyweight champion in Tom Aspinall's absence

Late last year, Ciryl Gane fought then-UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall for the title. Their fight ended anticlimactically in the very first round, as the French fighter incapacitated Aspinall by eye-poking him. The fight was deemed an NC (No Contest), with the champion retaining his belt. 

Nevertheless, Aspinall has been unable to fight since, despite having undergone multiple eye surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. He appeared to be set to return to competition but faced eye-related issues yet again, which is why he vacated the UFC heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane knocked out Alex Pereira in June and won the interim UFC heavyweight belt.

Following Aspinall's vacating his title a few days ago, UFC CEO and president Dana White subsequently indicated that Gane wouldn't be promoted to undisputed champion status. However, White and the UFC later clarified that he has indeed been promoted and made the UFC heavyweight champion.

UFC 334 -- Ciryl Gane's excitement about title fight with Josh Hokit elicits mixed reactions from fans

A number of fans have consistently criticized Ciryl Gane for the eye pokes he landed on Tom Aspinall, which they believe drastically changed the trajectory of the English MMA superstar's career.

On the other hand, Gane's next opponent, Josh Hokit, has stoked controversy of his own. Hokit has time and again made questionable socio-political remarks, which many have deemed bigoted.

Considering the variables at play, Gane alluded to the magnitude of his next Octagon appearance, which would come against Hokit. Displaying his excitement for it, Gane posted a UFC 334 poster and wrote the following on X: "Let's get it" 

Let's get it 🔥💯🇫🇷 https://t.co/r4JBeX1lPn

— Ciryl Gane (@ciryl_gane) September 20, 2026

Fight fans soon weighed in with their reactions, with some netizens urging him to defeat Hokit, whom they labeled racist. A commenter noted, "Easy Work Champ! Destroy that Racist F**k!" 

Another fan made an allusion to Gane's supposedly superior skill set and asserted, "Expect a R1/2 KO otherwise I'll be very disappointed." One observer opined, "I can't wait for you to beat tf outta this loser." 

Alternatively, some fans condemned Gane over his eye pokes and harked back to allegations levied by some of his former opponents of his purportedly using illegal maneuvers. A fan jibed at him, stating, "Ciryl poke-men Gane." 

Another commenter said, "Poke him good." Moreover, an X user implied that "Bon Gamin" would beat Hokit, albeit via nefarious means: "Gane by any foul really, cheating b**tard." 

Check out a few screenshots of MMA fans' reactions to Ciryl Gane's X post and his booked matchup with Josh Hokit below: