UFC 334 Preview: Gane vs Hokit Detailed Film Study, Odds, Predictions, Weigh-In, Presser and Countdown Show

UFC 334 Preview: Gane vs Hokit Detailed Film Study, Odds, Predictions, Weigh-In, Presser and Countdown Show

By Danny “Preacher” Malone, RCM MMA Correspondent

New York, New York, (November 14th, 2026)–UFC returns to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night with two title fights. Champion Ciryl Gane makes the first defense of his undisputed heavyweight title against unbeaten Josh Hokit, and women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison meets Amanda Nunes in the long-delayed co-main event, Nunes’ first fight in more than three years. The weigh-ins went smoothly for both title fights, with Gane at 242.6 pounds and Hokit at 231.4, and Harrison and Nunes both at 135. Two prelim fighters missed weight: Terrance McKinney came in 4.2 pounds over for his fight with Jim Miller and forfeits 30 percent of his purse, and Juan Diaz missed the bantamweight limit by 0.4 pounds and forfeits 20 percent. This preview has the full film study, tale-of-the-tape breakdowns, odds ranges and my pick for every fight on the 13-fight card. Starting with this event, I am keeping a running record of my picks, and the record starts at 0-0.

How to Watch UFC 334

UFC 334 streams live on Paramount+ from Madison Square Garden. The early prelims start at 5 p.m. ET, the prelims at 7 p.m. ET and the main card at 9 p.m. ET.

Weigh-In, Faceoff and Presser Notes

Gane and Hokit went back and forth at the pre-fight press conference, with Hokit’s nonstop talking a storyline all week. At Friday’s final faceoffs, Gane was heavily booed by the Garden crowd while Hokit delivered one last message to the champion. Harrison made 135 pounds exactly on the scale for the fourth time in her career, and Nunes looked relaxed at the same weight. The weigh-in video, ceremonial weigh-in, full press conference and countdown show are all at the bottom of this preview.

Main Event: Ciryl Gane vs Josh Hokit, Heavyweight Championship (5 Rounds)

Gane weighed 242.6 and Hokit 231.4, both well under the 265-pound limit, which gives Gane an 11-pound edge and a seven-and-a-half-inch reach advantage.

Film Study, Ciryl Gane: The 36-year-old Frenchman, who now trains out of Dubai, has been a top heavyweight for seven years and carries an 11-2 record with one no contest inside the Octagon. He has won the interim title twice and has challenged three times for the undisputed belt, falling short against Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou before the October 2025 no contest with Tom Aspinall. He dominated Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June to win the interim title and was elevated to undisputed champion when Aspinall could not return from the eye injuries suffered in their fight. He has seven knockout wins, three submissions and four decisions, and his game is built on range: teeps, low kicks, straight punches and a long, fluid jab behind an 81-inch reach. His takedown defense has been his historic weakness, and he has worked to improve it. Some critics have labeled him a dirty fighter, a charge he brushes off.

Film Study, Josh Hokit: “The Incredible Hok” is a 28-year-old former Division I wrestler and football player who logged practice squad reps in the NFL before moving to MMA. He earned his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last summer, made his UFC debut 53 weeks ago and fights for the title just 16 months after landing on the roster. He is 10-0 with six knockouts, three submissions and one decision, and he beat Curtis Blaydes in a Fight of the Year contender and stopped Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250. He throws at a pace of more than nine strikes a minute, pushes forward and mixes in wrestling, and his constant trash talk is a deliberate part of the plan. The questions are experience and five-round cardio against a calm, bigger, more skilled champion.

Keys to Victory, Gane: Keep this a kickboxing match. Use the jab, teeps and low kicks to stay at range, circle off the fence and make Hokit work for every entry. He has to defend the first takedown attempts and avoid long clinches against the wall, where Hokit’s wrestling and pressure are most effective. If Hokit hurts him early, Gane should lean on his composure and hand fighting rather than trading.

Keys to Victory, Hokit: Close the distance early, make it physical and turn every exchange into an ugly one. Hokit has to find the chin of a champion who has never been put away by a punch while setting up takedowns off his strikes. His pace is his biggest weapon over five rounds, and he has to make the fight chaotic before Gane’s range takes over.

Odds: Gane -205 to -225, Hokit +170 to +185

Preacher’s Pick: Gane by TKO. Hokit’s pressure and wrestling make this competitive, but Gane’s size, range and experience should wear down the challenger as the rounds go on.

Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes, Women’s Bantamweight Championship (5 Rounds)

Both women weighed exactly 135, the title-fight limit. The fight was originally booked for UFC 324 in January and was postponed when Harrison needed neck surgery.

Film Study, Kayla Harrison: The two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and two-time PFL tournament winner signed with the UFC heading into 2024, submitted Holly Holm, beat Ketlen Vieira and won the title at UFC 316 in June 2025 with a second-round kimura against Julianna Pena. She wrestles, throws, clinches and controls position better than almost anyone in the division, and her ground game is a major weapon. This is her first fight after career-threatening neck surgery and her first title defense, and how her body responds is one of the biggest unknowns on the card.

Film Study, Amanda Nunes: “The Lioness” retired in June 2023 after beating Irene Aldana and is widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time. She has beaten Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko twice, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie twice and Miesha Tate, and she was a champion in two divisions. She is a heavy-handed striker with excellent timing, but she has not fought in over three years and is facing the biggest grappler she has ever fought. The UFC called it one of the clearest grappler versus striker pairings in the promotion’s history.

Keys to Victory, Harrison: Get the clinch and the first takedown early, take the fight to the fence and keep Nunes’s hands busy with defensive concerns. Top position and short, grinding control wins rounds, and submissions are always live. She has to avoid trading at range in the opening minutes.

Keys to Victory, Nunes: Hit and stay mobile, keep her base wide and look to land the first big shot. Nunes has to avoid the clinch and hold underhooks if she is taken down, and over five rounds she has to prove her cardio and timing have survived the layoff.

Odds: Harrison -170 to -185, Nunes +142 to +154

Preacher’s Pick: Harrison by decision. Nunes is dangerous standing, but the layoff and the grappling gap favor the champion over five rounds.

Caio Borralho vs Yousri Belgaroui, Middleweight

Borralho weighed 185.4 and Belgaroui 186, both inside the 186-pound non-title limit. The fight is the final non-title bout of the night.

Film Study, Caio Borralho: “The Natural” is a fifth-ranked Brazilian who bounced back from his first setback inside the Octagon earlier this year by out-working Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326. He is a well-rounded southpaw with sharp counter striking, strong wrestling and a high output, and he wins rounds by controlling space and position.

Film Study, Yousri Belgaroui: The Dutch kickboxer has earned finishes in each of his first three UFC starts, most recently beating Djorden Santos at Noche UFC on September 12. Nine of his 11 wins are by knockout, and he lands over six strikes a minute behind a 79-inch reach. This is a massive step up in competition, but his size, length and striking pedigree make him a puzzle at 185 pounds.

Keys to Victory, Borralho: Take away the distance, mix in takedowns to disrupt Belgaroui’s kicks and win with volume and control. He should avoid long exchanges at the end of the kickboxer’s range.

Keys to Victory, Belgaroui: Keep the fight standing, use the reach and look for the body kick or head kick that changes the fight. He has to defend takedowns to make that plan work.

Odds: Borralho -155 to -165, Belgaroui +130 to +145

Preacher’s Pick: Borralho by decision. Borralho’s wrestling and experience should neutralize Belgaroui’s reach over three rounds.

Uros Medic vs Kevin Holland, Welterweight

Medic weighed 171 and Holland 170.4, inside the 171-pound limit. Holland carries a 10-inch reach advantage.

Film Study, Uros Medic: The Serbian southpaw has been red hot for 16 months, with four straight first-round stoppage wins, including consecutive bonus-winning efforts earlier this year. In August he headlined the UFC’s first event in Serbia and knocked out Daniel Rodriguez in about 30 seconds. He has 12 knockouts among his 14 wins and a knack for making quick reads and finding the mark.

Film Study, Kevin Holland: “Trailblazer” has been ranked at both middleweight and welterweight and is a credible threat to anyone at 170. He earned a win over Randy Brown earlier this year and has never been knocked out. He uses his 81-inch reach, creative kicks and constant movement, though his cardio is a concern when fights get into deeper waters.

Keys to Victory, Medic: Cut off the cage, close the distance behind the lead hand and land the left before Holland uses his length. Early pressure should take advantage of the reach gap.

Keys to Victory, Holland: Use the jab, front kicks and movement to stay at range, avoid exchanges in the pocket and force Medic to chase.

Odds: Medic -148 to -166, Holland +124 to +146

Preacher’s Pick: Medic by TKO. Holland has never been knocked out, but Medic’s power and momentum are hard to ignore.

Bilal Hasan vs Luis Gurule, Flyweight

Hasan weighed 125.4 and Gurule 125.2, inside the 126-pound limit. The fight opens the main card and matches Dana White’s Contender Series graduates.

Film Study, Bilal Hasan: “The IndoNinja” is unbeaten in 11 pro fights with nine consecutive finishes, and he made his UFC debut just 18 days after earning his contract on Season 10 of the Contender Series with a statement knockout of Nilson Rojas at UFC Shanghai. He is a 25-year-old switch-stance striker who throws at a high pace and fought exclusively under the CFFC banner on the regional circuit.

Film Study, Luis Gurule: “Grim” is a Season 8 Contender Series alumnus who picked up his first UFC win in May against Daniel Barez, then took a short-notice fight in Macau two weeks later and was submitted by Rei Tsuruya. He has lost four of his last five and comes from a good team, but he is giving up four inches of height and six inches of reach.

Keys to Victory, Hasan: Stay patient, use his speed and angles and take the fight to the ground only if the striking is not there. His pace and power should force the finish.

Keys to Victory, Gurule: Take Hasan down early and test his grappling. He has to avoid exchanges at range, where the reach and speed are heavily against him.

Odds: Hasan -1100, Gurule +610 to +709

Preacher’s Pick: Hasan by TKO. He is the biggest favorite on the card for good reason.

Preliminary Card Film Study and Picks

Stephen Thompson vs Charles Radtke, Welterweight: The retirement fight for 43-year-old Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (17-9-1, 6’0″, 75″ reach), a two-time title challenger who fought for gold at the Garden and has had one fight a year for four years, losing his last three. He returns after a 16-month absence, with his last fight a July 2025 split decision loss to Gabriel Bonfim. Radtke (12-5, 36, 5’9″, 72″), “Chuck Buffalo,” has used his grappling in consecutive wins over Daniel Frunza and Francisco Prado and carries a sneaky left hook. Thompson’s range control should carry him if he avoids takedowns. Odds: Thompson -148 to -160, Radtke +124 to +131. Preacher’s Pick: Thompson by decision.

Drew Dober vs Chris Duncan, Lightweight: Two bonus magnets in what should be a brawl. Dober (29-15, 1 NC, 38, southpaw, 5’8″, 70″) has won two straight with knockouts, including a second-round TKO of Michael Johnson at UFC 326, after losing five of six heading into October 2025. Duncan (15-3, 33, 5’10”, 71″) of Scotland had a four-fight winning streak snapped by Renato Moicano in an April main event and has the chin and the guillotine to match. Odds: Duncan -155 to -199, Dober +130 to +167. Preacher’s Pick: Duncan by TKO.

Jim Miller vs Terrance McKinney, Lightweight: The 43-year-old Miller (39-19, 1 NC, 5’8″, 71″) makes his record 48th UFC appearance and is looking for his 29th UFC win after a first-round guillotine of Jared Gordon at UFC 328 in May. McKinney (18-9, 32, 5’10”, 73.5″) has never seen the scorecards, has not gone past round one in his last eight fights and weighed 160.2, which means he forfeits 30 percent of his purse. Miller has 22 submission wins and the experience to survive early, and McKinney’s pace is lethal if he lands early. Odds before the weigh-in: McKinney -192 to -214, Miller +160 to +175. Preacher’s Pick: McKinney by TKO.

Donte Johnson vs Cesar Almeida, 190-Pound Catchweight: Johnson (9-0, 27, southpaw, 5’8″, 74″) came down from heavyweight and has won three straight at middleweight, most recently demolishing Eric McConico in 98 seconds. Almeida (7-3, 6’1″, 74″) is a legitimate kickboxer who knocked out Abdul Razak Alhassan, but has been stopped by Damian Pinas in his last outing and has faltered in two straight. Odds: Johnson -168 to -202, Almeida +145 to +160. Preacher’s Pick: Johnson by TKO.

Jared Gordon vs Melquizael Costa, Lightweight: The New Yorker Gordon (21-9, 1 NC, 38, 5’9″, 68″) returns to the Garden, where he stopped Mark Madsen three years ago, and has gone 1-3 since. Costa (26-8, 30, southpaw, 5’10”, 71″) finished Dan Ige in the first round in February to extend his winning streak to six before a main event loss to Arnold Allen led him to lightweight. Odds: Costa -375 to -415, Gordon +275 to +315. Preacher’s Pick: Costa by TKO.

Macy Chiasson vs Beatriz Mesquita, Women’s Bantamweight: The veteran Chiasson (11-6, 35, 5’11”, 72″) is ranked No. 9 and stuck in a three-fight funk. Mesquita (8-0, 3-0 UFC, 35, 5’4″, 67.5″) has three finishes in three UFC fights and won 10 world titles in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Chiasson’s length only matters if it stays standing. Odds: Mesquita -246 to -260, Chiasson +195 to +210. Preacher’s Pick: Mesquita by submission.

Alatengheili vs Juan Diaz, Bantamweight: Alatengheili (18-10-2, 6-3-1 UFC) steps in on short notice for the injured Adrian Yanez less than two months after a split decision win over John Castaneda. Diaz (16-1-1, 1-0 UFC, 28, 5’8″, 69.5″) has won five straight, but he missed weight at 136.4 and forfeits 20 percent of his purse. Odds: Diaz -355 to -441, Alatengheili +280 to +325. Preacher’s Pick: Diaz by decision.

Evan Elder vs Samuel Sanches, Lightweight: Elder (10-2, 3-2 UFC, 29, switch, 5’10”, 72″) has won three straight but has only fought twice since the summer of 2023. Sanches (11-1, 23, 5’10”, 74.5″) makes his UFC debut after a patient Contender Series win over Chasen Blair and has eight knockouts in 11 wins. Odds: Sanches -119 to -122, Elder -104 to +100. Preacher’s Pick: Sanches by TKO.

Full Card Records, Weights, Odds and Picks

Records first, official Friday weigh-in weights in parentheses (pounds), then odds ranges and my pick.

Main Card (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)
Ciryl Gane (c), 14-2, 1 NC (242.6) vs. Josh Hokit, 10-0 (231.4): Gane -205 to -225, Hokit +170 to +185. Pick: Gane by TKO
Kayla Harrison (c), 19-1 (135) vs. Amanda Nunes, 23-5 (135): Harrison -170 to -185, Nunes +142 to +154. Pick: Harrison by decision
Caio Borralho, 18-2, 1 NC (185.4) vs. Yousri Belgaroui, 11-3 (186): Borralho -155 to -165, Belgaroui +130 to +145. Pick: Borralho by decision
Uros Medic, 14-3 (171) vs. Kevin Holland, 29-15, 1 NC (170.4): Medic -148 to -166, Holland +124 to +146. Pick: Medic by TKO
Bilal Hasan, 10-0, 1 NC (125.4) vs. Luis Gurule, 11-4 (125.2): Hasan -1100, Gurule +610 to +709. Pick: Hasan by TKO

Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 p.m. ET)
Stephen Thompson, 17-9-1 (170.6) vs. Charles Radtke, 12-5 (170.8): Thompson -148 to -160, Radtke +124 to +131. Pick: Thompson by decision
Drew Dober, 29-15, 1 NC (155.4) vs. Chris Duncan, 15-3 (155.4): Duncan -155 to -199, Dober +130 to +167. Pick: Duncan by TKO
Terrance McKinney, 18-9 (160.2)* vs. Jim Miller, 39-19, 1 NC (155.6): McKinney -192 to -214, Miller +160 to +175. Pick: McKinney by TKO
Donte Johnson, 9-0 (189) vs. Cesar Almeida, 7-3 (189.6): Johnson -168 to -202, Almeida +145 to +160. Pick: Johnson by TKO

Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 p.m. ET)
Jared Gordon, 21-9, 1 NC (155.6) vs. Melquizael Costa, 26-8 (155.4): Costa -375 to -415, Gordon +275 to +315. Pick: Costa by TKO
Macy Chiasson, 11-6 (134.8) vs. Beatriz Mesquita, 8-0 (135.8): Mesquita -246 to -260, Chiasson +195 to +210. Pick: Mesquita by submission
Alatengheili, 18-10-2 (135.6) vs. Juan Diaz, 16-1-1 (136.4)**: Diaz -355 to -441, Alatengheili +280 to +325. Pick: Diaz by decision
Evan Elder, 10-2 (156) vs. Samuel Sanches, 11-1 (153.6): Sanches -119 to -122, Elder -104 to +100. Pick: Sanches by TKO

*McKinney missed the 156-pound lightweight limit and forfeits 30 percent of his purse to Miller. **Diaz missed the 136-pound limit and forfeits 20 percent of his purse to Alatengheili. Both bouts proceed as scheduled.

Watch

UFC 334 Official Weigh-Ins: Ciryl Gane vs Josh Hokit

UFC 334 Ceremonial Weigh-In

UFC 334 Full Pre-Fight Press Conference

UFC 334 Countdown Show: Full Episode

Odds are approximate ranges compiled from multiple sportsbooks and are subject to change. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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