UFC’s No.5-ranked heavyweight contender Josh Hokit mocked Ciryl Gane by insinuating that he was preparing for the French fighter by getting pepper sprayed in the face.

Hokit (10-0) showed the bizarre training exercise ahead of his November 14 showdown with heavyweight champion Gane at UFC 334 inside Madison Square Garden in New York.

The stunt appeared to poke fun at Gane’s history of eye pokes, most notably against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321, when their heavyweight championship fight ended in a no-contest on October 25.

By exposing himself to pepper spray, Hokit seemingly wanted to demonstrate his ability to continue fighting despite impaired vision.

Hokit earned his title shot after stopping Derrick Lewis in the second round of their June 14 fight. Gane (14-2), meanwhile, claimed the interim heavyweight championship that night after defeating Alex Pereira at the same event, subsequently becoming undisputed champion when Aspinall vacated the title.

UFC CEO Dana White recently conceded he’s matched Hokit against difficult opponents because of the contender’s controversial comments. However, White admitted the fighter had earned this opportunity.

“Like him or hate him, he’s fought his way to the top, and there’s no denying that this guy deserves this title shot,” White said.