Josh Hokit (10-0) has called for a UFC heavyweight title fight against interim champion Ciryl Gane (14-2) following Tom Aspinall’s decision to vacate the championship.
Hokit, the No.6-ranked UFC heavyweight, has won all four of his fights since joining the promotion, including victories over Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision on April 11, 2026 and Derrick Lewis by second round stoppage at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, which was the same event where Gane stopped Alex Pereira in the second to win the interim title.
“The fans deserve Me vs Gane,” Hokit said. “I’ll give Ciryl what he has coming.”
Former two-division UFC champion turned analyst Daniel Cormier backed Hokit for the fight, despite him being ranked lower than the likes of Pereira and Sergei Pavlovich (who both also called for a fight vs Gane after Aspinall vacated). Cormier argued Hokit’s personality and fighting style would make him an attractive opponent for Gane, while adding his marketability would sell the bout.
“He will compete with him, because he isn’t afraid, and he’ll sell,” Cormier said. “Even in that selling, he’ll [annoy] people … but he’ll bring eyes to the event.”
Aspinall relinquished the UFC heavyweight title Monday citing ongoing problems with his eyes that prevent him from being medically cleared to compete. The UFC has yet to announce its plans for the vacant title, although many expect Gane will be elevated to the UFC heavyweight champion.