The UFC heavyweight championship is on the line in one of combat sports' most legendary venues. Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit collide in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Plus, one of the most significant women's fights in history takes place under that roof at UFC 334.
The heavyweight division is stabilizing after years of turbulence. Francis Ngannou's departure from the promotion, Jon Jones' retirement and Tom Aspinall's eye injury kept the title picture in flux. But after Gane -- who previously challenged those three men for the title -- knocked out Alex Pereira at The White House, the new heavyweight champion is keen to up the activity.
Gane's first challenger also made a statement at UFC Freedom 250. Hokit went from UFC debutant to title challenger in one year. Beating Gane would conclude one of the most impressive first 12 months in the promotion's history, up there with the likes of Pereira, Israel Adesanya and Brock Lesnar.
Hokit's antics rub a lot of people the wrong way, but his Fight of the Year frontrunner with Curtis Blaydes proved that he's not just a carnival act. red event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year! Saturday's co-main event is worthy of the iconic New York City venue.
Kayla Harrison is one of the most decorated women in combat sports, having won two Olympic gold medals in judo, a UFC title, and two PFL tournaments. Amanda Nunes is unequivocally the best women's MMA athlete of all time. Her resume includes wins over former UFC champions Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie (twice) and Miesha Tate.
Many factors are at play, including Harrison's first fight after career-threatening neck surgery and Nunes' return from a three-year retirement. Fans should tune in early on Saturday. There are compelling bouts from top to bottom, especially the featured prelim fight.
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