Alexander Volkov is backing Ciryl Gane to beat Josh Hokit and retain the UFC heavyweight title,
After Tom Aspinall vacated the belt last month, Gane was promoted from interim titleholder to undisputed champion, and is booked to make his first title defense when he takes on Hokit at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 14.
Speaking during an interview with Helen Yee, Volkov said that he believes Gane will be the likeliest winner of that bout.
“This sport is unpredictable,” the Russian said. “Everybody has a chance to win. Of course, Ciryl Gane has more chances to win, speaking seriously about it. But it's never predictable…never. I can bet on a Ciryl Gane.”
Volkov had been in the running to face Gane, given that his only defeat in his past seven outings came via a contentious split decision loss against the Frenchman in December of 2024. The UFC matchmakers ultimately went with Hokit however, while Volkov is set to take on Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 later this month.
“For me, the best way will be if Josh Hokit wins and I win my fight and we meet in a title shot,” Volkov said. “For me, it will be easier fight ever. Sorry Josh Hokit, I don't want to say something bad about you. You're a nice guy! So this (is the) easy way but I don't know what's really going to happen, so probably yeah, we should bet on Gane.”
