GANE VS. HOKIT – HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN
The UFC returns to the world’s most famous arena for a massive night of mixed martial arts action.
UFC 334 promises an exciting championship doubleheader, featuring two major title fights and several intriguing matchups.
Date: Saturday, November 14
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City
Main Card: 9:00 p.m. ET
Preliminary Card: 7:00 p.m. ET
Early Prelims: 5:00 p.m. ET
The main event features heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane defending his championship against undefeated contender Josh Hokit.
The co-main event brings together Kayla Harrison and returning superstar Amanda Nunes for a highly anticipated women’s bantamweight championship fight.
Main event – Heavyweight Championship
This is a fascinating heavyweight matchup.
Gane brings elite movement, technical striking, footwork and experience at the championship level.
His ability to control distance could make a significant difference.
Hokit enters undefeated and brings tremendous physical power, aggression and confidence. He has an opportunity to make a statement by taking the championship from one of the division’s most technically gifted fighters.
Three keys to victory
Gane must control distance and avoid unnecessary exchanges.
Hokit needs to pressure the champion and attack the body.
Cardio and composure could determine the championship rounds.
Prediction: Ciryl Gane by technical knockout in Round 4.
Co-main event – Women’s Bantamweight Championship
One of the biggest women’s MMA matchups in recent memory.
Harrison is an Olympic gold-medal judoka with tremendous wrestling, grappling and ground control.
She will look to take Nunes down and dictate where the fight takes place.
Nunes is a former two-division UFC champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters in MMA history.
Her knockout power, experience and striking make her extremely dangerous.
Three keys to victory
Harrison must use her wrestling and grappling advantage.
Nunes needs to keep the fight standing.
Harrison must avoid giving Nunes opportunities to land power shots.
Prediction: Kayla Harrison by unanimous decision.
Remaining main card
Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui Middleweight
Uroš Medić vs. Kevin Holland Welterweight
Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule Flyweight
Preliminary card
Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke Welterweight
Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan Lightweight
Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney Lightweight
Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida Middleweight
Early preliminaries
Jared Gordon vs. Melquizael Costa
Macy Chiasson vs. Bia Mesquita
Adrian Yanez vs. Juan Diaz
Evan Elder vs. Samuel Sanches
Five things to watch
Gane’s championship defence: Can he use his technical striking to stop the undefeated challenger?
Harrison vs. Nunes: Can the returning legend reclaim championship gold?
Stephen Thompson’s retirement fight: A final opportunity for the veteran striker to deliver a memorable performance.
Kevin Holland: Can Holland produce another exciting performance?
The lightweight division: Drew Dober and Jim Miller bring plenty of experience to their respective matchups.
Final word
UFC 334 has the ingredients for a memorable pay-per-view-style championship event.
Gane faces a dangerous undefeated challenger, while Harrison and Nunes finally settle one of the most anticipated rivalries in women’s MMA.
The Madison Square Garden crowd should be in for an outstanding night
