UFC 334 predictions: Ciryl Gane v Josh Hokit, Kayla Harrison v Amanda Nunes
UFC 334 is here, and this is how we think the biggest fights on the card will go down.
For the first time in over a year, the UFC's undisputed heavyweight title is on the line at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden as reigning champion Ciryl Gane makes his first defence against the controversial, yet popular, Josh Hokit.
In the co-main event is a fight many consider to be the people's main event as women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison returns from a 17 month injury layoff to face the greatest women's fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes.
Elsewhere on the card UFC veteran Stephen Thompson is set to compete in his last-ever fight, aged 43, while Scotland's Chris Duncan faces a guaranteed war with Drew Dober.
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But how will the fights play out? Who will steal the headlines and, most importantly, who will take home the titles? Here is SPORTbible's prediction.
Ciryl Gane v Josh Hokit prediction
There's no beating around the bush, Hokit's loudmouth personality and bizarre behaviour is what has earned him a fast-tracked shot at the UFC title this weekend.
The American has made a name for himself with outlandish comments while securing recent wins over Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes.
But, for anybody else on the roster, four wins in the UFC, only two of which were over ranked opponents, wouldn't alone be enough to justify a title shot.
With that in mind, Hokit is a fairly big underdog heading into the fight with Gane, with many giving him almost no chance of seizing the heavyweight belt.
And as much as we'd love to go against the grain, it's hard to see a path to victory for the American.
READ MORE: Stipe Miocic ‘100%’ sure who will win Ciryl Gane vs Josh Hokit UFC 334 title fight
Other than Conor McGregor, it's not often that a fighter who can talk there way to a title fight can deliver - we're looking at you, Colby Covington - and Hokit will likely go the same way.
Where this fight will be won or lost for Hokit is if he can close to distance and get a hold of Gane.
The only thing Hokit could potentially do to pull off the upset would be to target Gane's clear weakness in grappling, as shown in both the title losses to Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
But, recent fights have suggested that the Frenchman has done a lot of work to improve this clear hole in his game, and if there's one thing he can do well, it's manage the range with a well-placed jab.
Therefore, we're going with Gane to comfortably control the fight, forcing Hokit to get desperate and allowing the champion to make his first defence with a highlight reel knockout.
Prediction - Gane by KO/TKO in round 3
Kayla Harrison v Amanda Nunes prediction
The co-main event in Madison Square Garden is nothing short of a superfight.
This is arguably the two best women's UFC fighters of all time facing off to determine not only who the bantamweight champion is but who is the greatest female fighter ever to set foot in a UFC octagon.
For that reason, it's a really tough one to call.
Since making her debut at the iconic UFC 300 on April 13, 2024, Harrison has been nothing short of spectacular, beating everyone put in front of her in dominant fashion.
But Nunes is a class above anybody she's faced thus far, having clearly established herself as one of the best fighters in UFC history, regardless of gender.
A total of 11 UFC title fight wins across two weight divisions against the likes of Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg shows just how good Nunes was in her prime.
But there's a lot more to this fight than just the skills of the two women facing off, as both Harrison and Nunes are coming back from a long time away from the sport.
Nunes last fought in the UFC on June 10, 2023, beating Irene Aldana by unanimous decision at UFC 289 before announcing her retirement.
At 38 years old, the Brazilian could be a completely different fighter now, so it's hard to know what to expect at UFC 334.
Meanwhile Harrison is coming off the back of a brutal neck injury that forced her out of the original Nunes fight scheudled for January this year and required surgery.
Ahead of the rescheduled Nunes fight, the bantamweight champion has described the improvement with her neck as 'like night and day,' but such major surgery just months before the biggest, and hardest fight, of your career is far from ideal.
And it's ultimately the combination of this neck injury and Nunes' unmatched power that has us/me leaning towards Nunes reclaiming her bantamweight crown in New York, likely in the late rounds.
Prediction - Nunes by KO/TKO in rounds 4-5
UFC 334 predictions
But what about the rest of the stacked card in Madison Square Garden?
While the whole card is worth your attention, here's just a few select fights on the main card and late prelims and how we think they may go.
Caio Borralho vs Yousri Belgaroui: Belgaroui has impressed so far but he's taking a big step up against Borralho who remains one of the best in the division. It may be too much, too soon. Prediction: Borralho by decision.
Uros Medic vs Kevin Holland: This all depends on which version of Kevin Holland shows up. If he's at his best, he could pull off an upset, but Medic should get it done. Prediction: Medic by TKO/KO.
Bilal Hasan vs Luis Gurule: The flyweight division is in the best place it's ever been and Hasan is one of the most exciting prospects. He looks set to maintain his unbeaten record with another explosive performance. Prediction: Hasan by TKO/KO.
Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson vs Charles Radtke: Very rarely do beloved UFC fighters get the chance to go out on their own terms with a win, but Thompson's distance management and counter-striking should be enough. Prediction: Thompson by decision.
Drew Dober vs Chris Duncan: This has all the makings of fight of the night. A brutal war that could go either way, but Duncan's superior grappling will make the difference. Don't be surprised to see a late submission. Prediction: Duncan by decision
Ben McCrum
