Is Josh Hokit Really the Future of the UFC Heavyweight Division, as Ciryl Gane Said?

While Josh Hokit failed to capture the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 334, he earned a surprising compliment from his opponent, Ciryl Gane, during the latter's post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. 'Bon Gamin' hailed Hokit as the future of the division while admitting that it had been a tough fight.

There's no doubt that Hokit is as tough as they come and is already one of the top contenders at 265 pounds. But is he really the future? Can he topple the true elite the heavyweight division has to offer? Can he eventually become an undisputed UFC champion?

Hokit's performance at UFC 334 showcased several of his strengths, but it also exposed some glaring deficiencies. Let's take a closer look at his skill set and assess whether he deserves the distinction of being the 'future' of the heavyweight division.

Takeaways for UFC 334

UFC 334 showed us one thing: Josh Hokit is as tough as they come. The 28-year-old demonstrated considerable durability over five rounds, while also showcasing credible wrestling and an impressive ability to work in the clinch. 

While unorthodox, his forward pressure proved effective, throwing Gane off his usual stick-and-move game in the early rounds. Hokit was also competitive enough to give the veteran a run for his money, with the fight ultimately producing 48-47 scorecards across the board.

However, the Madison Square Garden event also exposed some of the American's glaring deficiencies, the most problematic of which is his lack of lateral movement. Hokit was often seen keeping his head on the center line, making him an easy target for Gane's jabs, crosses, and uppercuts. 

While he soldiered through the punishment and continued marching forward, it's difficult to say how well that approach would hold up against a genuine power puncher. After all, Gane has never been known for his devastating knockout power.

Check out Ciryl Gane's comments about Josh Hokit below:

Potential Nightmare Matchups for Josh Hokit

Following UFC 334, three names immediately come to mind when considering who could give Josh Hokit the most trouble inside the Octagon: Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich, the lightning-fast and powerful former champion Tom Aspinall, and potentially even former two-division champion Alex Pereira.

Sergei Pavlovich

As for Sergei Pavlovich, one could argue that Hokit, given his wrestling pedigree, could smother the Russian with his grappling. However, the limited evidence we have of Pavlovich's takedown defense suggests that he rarely gives wrestlers enough time to get their game going.

Take his fight against Curtis Blaydes, for example. Blaydes is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the heavyweight division, yet he failed to complete the only takedown he attempted against Pavlovich. The fight ended shortly afterward, with the Russian securing a first-round TKO just 3:08 into the opening frame.

One thing is for certain: Hokit's lack of lateral movement and the pressure-based approach he employed against Gane could prove counterproductive against a devastating power puncher like Pavlovich. Unless the American commits to a grappling-heavy game plan, it's difficult to see him surviving the early rounds against the Russian.

Check out Sergei Pavlovich vs. Curtis Blaydes below:

Tom Aspinall

Much like against Pavlovich, Hokit's chin could fail against Aspinall's punching power, particularly given his lack of lateral movement. However, the Englishman brings considerably more to the table than just raw power. 

He's remarkably quick for a heavyweight, even if he isn't quite as fluid on his feet as Ciryl Gane. His one-twos and combination punching are much quicker than the average MMA heavyweight, making him an especially dangerous opponent for someone who struggles to get their head off the center line.

Furthermore, if Hokit resorts to wrestling, even that could prove to be a risky alternative. Aspinall is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a proven submission game, having tapped out both Andrei Arlovski and Alexander Volkov inside the Octagon.

At this stage of their careers, Aspinall appears to be the more complete fighter, possessing multiple paths to victory.

Alex Pereira

This matchup is more of a pick'em than the previous two. Pereira has demonstrated credible takedown defense, even in his loss to Magomed Ankalaev in their first encounter. His takedown defense held up, albeit at the cost of his striking game.

However, when it comes to striking, Pereira can be a real threat. One look at 'Poatan's MMA record and it is clear how much of a knockout threat he is. Furthermore, the legendary Brazilian has been proficient at finding the target, even against tactical strikers like Khalil Rountree Jr. and unorthodox fighters like Jiri Prochazka, even while being pressured.

If Hokit keeps his head on the center line and presses Pereira as he did against Gane, it might be night-night for the heavyweight contender.

Is Josh Hokit Deserving of the "Future" Tag Just Yet?

Being a likely underdog against two of the biggest names in the division, Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich, and potentially having a rough go of it in a matchup against a recently transitioned heavyweight like Alex Pereira, Josh Hokit doesn't seem to be at an undisputed-champion level just yet.

However, at just 28 years of age, Hokit is already one of the top contenders in the heavyweight division. With plenty of time to improve an already impressive game, it is not unreasonable to argue that the American could yet find a way to topple these fighters, or at least outlast them.

So, can Josh Hokit be called the future yet? Is he the next big thing at heavyweight? Perhaps not. But at the end of the day, the word 'future' suggests possibility. The possibility of making it in the times to come. So, in that sense, yes...