Ciryl Gane Named UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Ahead of UFC 334
Ciryl Gane has been named the UFC undisputed heavyweight champion after Tom Aspinall vacated the title. He is set to face undefeated Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on Nov 14.
13 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTC
Why 'Gane' is Trending in India
On 20 September 2026, Google Trends India observed a surge in searches for "gane," with approximately 200 searches and 100% growth [3]. This spike followed the official announcement during the UFC 331 broadcast that French fighter Ciryl Gane would headline UFC 334 as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The Path to Undisputed Status
Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC) has ascended to the top of the heavyweight division under unusual circumstances. He previously secured a second interim title by knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC White House [1]. His elevation to undisputed champion comes after Tom Aspinall vacated the belt due to complications from eye injuries sustained during a no-contest bout against Gane in October 2025 [1].
The Dana White Miscommunication
The transition was briefly confusing for fans. UFC CEO Dana White initially told SportsNet that Gane would need to fight again before being officially recognized as the undisputed champion [2]. However, during the UFC 331 broadcast, analysts Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier clarified that White had simply misspoken. They attributed the error to a long-standing hearing problem that often affects White during press interactions [2].
UFC 334: Main Event and Card Details
The championship bout is scheduled for 14 November 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Gane will defend his title against Josh Hokit, an undefeated fighter (10-0) who has gone 4-0 in the UFC since his 2025 signing [1]. Hokit enters the fight with significant momentum, including a knockout of Derrick Lewis.
Key Matchups at UFC 334
| Bout | Weight Class/Status | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit | Heavyweight Title | Main Event |
| Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes | Bantamweight Title | Co-Main Event (Re-booked) |
| Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui | Main Card | Official Bout |
The co-main event features a highly anticipated return for Amanda Nunes, who will challenge Kayla Harrison. This fight was originally slated for UFC 324 but was delayed because Harrison required neck surgery [1].
Sources & further reading
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