UFC 334 Loses “Fight of the Night” Contender Just Weeks Out From MSG Event

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectSet to close out the UFC’s 2026 calendar next month, UFC 334 has apparently taken another major hit just a few weeks out from the event.

Set to close out the UFC’s 2026 calendar next month, UFC 334 has apparently taken another major hit just a few weeks out from the event.

Taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, the main event for UFC 334 will see Ciryl Gane formally kick off his reign as undisputed heavyweight champion when he takes on undefeated challenger Josh Hokit.

Taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, the main event for UFC 334 will see Ciryl Gane formally kick off his reign as undisputed heavyweight champion when he takes on undefeated challenger Josh Hokit.

UFC gold will also be on the line in the night’s co-main event, as Kayla Harrison and returning UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes will finally meet in a rescheduled fight for Harrison’s women’s bantamweight belt.

UFC gold will also be on the line in the night’s co-main event, as Kayla Harrison and returning UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes will finally meet in a rescheduled fight for Harrison’s women’s bantamweight belt.

UFC 334 was originally at full capacity with 14 scheduled fights, but the injury withdrawals of both Nazim Sadykhov and Jefferson Nascimento unfortunately left the card one bout lighter.

UFC 334 was originally at full capacity with 14 scheduled fights, but the injury withdrawals of both Nazim Sadykhov and Jefferson Nascimento unfortunately left the card one bout lighter.

Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectBaisangur Susurkaev also pulled out of a scheduled matchup with fellow undefeated middleweight Donte Johnson, but César Almeida was brought in to face Johnson and save that fight.

Baisangur Susurkaev also pulled out of a scheduled matchup with fellow undefeated middleweight Donte Johnson, but César Almeida was brought in to face Johnson and save that fight.

The card has now lost another major name as of this week, as bantamweight Adrian Yanez shared on his Instagram that he’s been hospitalized and won’t be competing on November 14.

The card has now lost another major name as of this week, as bantamweight Adrian Yanez shared on his Instagram that he’s been hospitalized and won’t be competing on November 14.

Adrian Yanez revealed on Instagram that he won’t be fighting at UFC 334. | (Instagram)Yanez was scheduled to meet Juan Diaz in what looked to be one of the best matchups on the UFC 334 prelims, and the 32-year-old didn’t share any details on his hospitalization or when fans can expect to see him return.

Yanez was scheduled to meet Juan Diaz in what looked to be one of the best matchups on the UFC 334 prelims, and the 32-year-old didn’t share any details on his hospitalization or when fans can expect to see him return.

Adrian Yanez’s follow-up Instagram story from the hospital. | (Instagram)Adrian Yanez Knocked Out Ex-UFC Champion at UFC 329–>Adrian Yanez Knocked Out Ex-UFC Champion at UFC 329A contract winner on the 2020 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, Yanez booked his ticket to the UFC when he knocked out Brady Huang in just 39 seconds.

A contract winner on the 2020 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, Yanez booked his ticket to the UFC when he knocked out Brady Huang in just 39 seconds.

The Texas-native immediately carried the momentum of that finish into the UFC, as he initially went on a 5-0 run in the promotion that includes four knockouts and five post-fight bonuses between 2020 and 2022.

The Texas-native immediately carried the momentum of that finish into the UFC, as he initially went on a 5-0 run in the promotion that includes four knockouts and five post-fight bonuses between 2020 and 2022.

Adrian Yanez (blue gloves) reacts after a bantamweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectA step up in competition against Rob Font at UFC 287 saw Yanez suffer his first UFC loss via first-round finish before he suffered the same fate against Jonathan Martinez, who stopped Yanez with leg kicks in the second round.

A step up in competition against Rob Font at UFC 287 saw Yanez suffer his first UFC loss via first-round finish before he suffered the same fate against Jonathan Martinez, who stopped Yanez with leg kicks in the second round.

Rob Font (red gloves) fights Adrian Yanez (blue gloves) during UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectAfter knocking out Vinicius Salvador and dropping a split decision to Daniel Marcos, the 32-year-old had an extended layoff but returned in March and fought to a draw with Ricky Simon before he stopped former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt in his most recent outing at UFC 329.

After knocking out Vinicius Salvador and dropping a split decision to Daniel Marcos, the 32-year-old had an extended layoff but returned in March and fought to a draw with Ricky Simon before he stopped former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt in his most recent outing at UFC 329.

Cody Garbrandt (red gloves) fights Adrian Yanez (blue gloves) in a bantamweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIt’s unclear at this time if the UFC will be able to find a replacement opponent for Diaz on just a few weeks’ notice, which could potentially leave UFC 334 with 12 scheduled fights.

It’s unclear at this time if the UFC will be able to find a replacement opponent for Diaz on just a few weeks’ notice, which could potentially leave UFC 334 with 12 scheduled fights.

Main Event: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit – For the UFC Heavyweight Championship

Main Event: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit – For the UFC Heavyweight Championship

Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes – For the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes – For the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Published 12 minutes agoDREW BEAUPREDrew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.