Josh Hokit Calls Out Ciryl Gane for UFC Title Shot

Josh Hokit publicly called for a UFC heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane after Tom Aspinall vacated the belt on Monday.

Aspinall vacated his title after suffering a setback in his recovery from eye injuries stemming from the eye pokes made by Gane in their title fight at UFC 321. That leaves Gane, who had already been elevated to undisputed champion by virtue of holding interim gold, without a confirmed next opponent. Hokit wasted no time throwing his name into the mix, and he did not mince words about who should get the next shot.

Hokit wrote that "The fans deserve Me vs Gane. I'll give Ciryl what he has coming." He also addressed Alex Pereira, who has been pushing for a rematch with Gane since losing to him this summer, in part over alleged foul play from that fight. Hokit said that if Pereira can win one fight in his weight class, he would give him a shot too, early in 2027, while positioning himself as the fighter who deserves first crack at Gane right now.

Why Hokit Is Pushing for Gane Now

Hokit's timing is no accident. With Aspinall out of the picture and Gane sitting on top of the division, the next challenger slot is wide open for the first time in months. Gane claimed the interim title with a win over Alex Pereira at UFC White House this summer, and is now the undisputed champion after Aspinall stepped aside. Hokit's public pitch is a bid to jump the line before the promotion settles on Pereira, who has openly campaigned for the rematch, or turns to anyone else in the division.

Hokit also said he intends to be the most active champion in the company, a not so subtle jab at how long heavyweight title fights have taken to come together in recent years.

What This Means for the Betting Markets

Nothing is official yet, so there is no line on Gane versus Hokit to speak of. The UFC has not confirmed Gane's next defense, and Pereira's rematch push complicates any read on who actually gets the call. The smart move for bettors right now is to wait on the promotion rather than chase a futures number that does not exist yet. If the UFC does eventually book Gane against a vocal contender like Hokit instead of running it back with Pereira, expect Gane to open as the favorite given his status as champion, but the shape of that line depends entirely on who walks into the cage across from him.

For now this is a call-out, not a signed fight, and fans looking to bet the heavyweight picture should hold off until an official announcement changes that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Tom Aspinall vacate the UFC heavyweight title?

Tom Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title after suffering a setback in his recovery from eye injuries caused by eye pokes from Ciryl Gane in their fight at UFC 321.

Who is Josh Hokit calling out for a UFC title fight?

Josh Hokit is calling out Ciryl Gane, the UFC's undisputed heavyweight champion, for a title fight after Tom Aspinall vacated the belt.

Is a fight between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit official?

No, Josh Hokit's callout of Ciryl Gane is not a confirmed or booked fight; the UFC has not announced Gane's next title defense.