UFC 334 Title Fights Set Stage for Heavyweight and Bantamweight Drama at MSG

Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to its iconic East Coast home on Saturday, November 14, 2026, as UFC 334 takes over Madison Square Garden for a night anchored by two blockbuster world championship bouts.

Headlining the annual New York showcase, heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane faces off against relentless, undefeated wrestling phenom Josh Hokit in a classic striker-versus-grappler duel.

In the co-main event, legendary former double-champion Amanda Nunes makes her highly anticipated return to the Octagon after a three-year hiatus, stepping straight into a legacy-defining clash against reigning bantamweight queen and former American Top Team training partner Kayla Harrison.

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The main event presents a striking contrast in styles for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

France’s Ciryl Gane has long established himself as the most agile and technically refined kickboxer in the big-man division, relying on lateral movement, teep kicks, and precise distance management to systematically dismantle opponents.

However, extended grappling sessions have historically tested Gane’s defensive decision-making.

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCHUP │ ├──────────────────────┬───────────────────┬────────────────┤ │ Stat / Detail │ Ciryl Gane (C) │ Josh Hokit (#4)│ ├──────────────────────┼───────────────────┼────────────────┤ │ Style │ Technical Striker │ Power Wrestler │ │ Nationality │ France │ United States │ │ Betting Odds │ -200 (Favorite) │ +165 (Underdog)│ └──────────────────────┴───────────────────┴────────────────┘ Entering as the #4-ranked contender, former NCAA All-American wrestler Josh Hokit brings a relentless forward pace.

Having earned his title shot following a second-round TKO victory over Derrick Lewis, Hokit’s game plan hinges on closing the distance early, executing explosive double-leg takedowns, and testing Gane’s gas tank under heavy ground-and-pound pressure.

“Gane’s movement is world-class, but heavyweight MMA changes when someone is driving you into the fence,” analysts noted during pre-fight breakdowns. “If Hokit can survive the early kickboxing range, his chain-wrestling could dictate the second half of the fight.”

The co-main event features one of the most compelling narratives in women’s combat sports history.

Two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison (19-1) reached the pinnacle of the 135-pound division at UFC 316, submitting Julianna Peña to capture the title.

Harrison’s unmatched physical strength and top-control grappling have made her a dominant force inside the Octagon.

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP │ ├──────────────────────┬───────────────────┬────────────────┤ │ Stat / Detail │ Kayla Harrison(C) │ Amanda Nunes │ ├──────────────────────┼───────────────────┼────────────────┤ │ Record │ 19–1 │ 23–5 │ │ Background │ Olympic Judo Gold │ 2-Div UFC Champ│ │ Betting Odds │ -190 (Favorite) │ +160 (Underdog)│ └──────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘ Standing across from her is the consensus greatest female fighter of all time.

Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes (23-5) retired in 2023 following a title defense against Irene Aldana.

Driven by the itch for high-stakes competition, Nunes returns aiming to become a three-time bantamweight champion.

Adding to the tension, both fighters spent years sharing mat space at Coconut Creek’s American Top Team, giving each an intimate understanding of the other’s strengths and habits.

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Beyond the two title bouts, the UFC 334 main card features crucial contenders across multiple weight classes:

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ UFC 334 MAIN CARD LINEUP │ ├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Main Event: Ciryl Gane (C) vs. Josh Hokit (HW Title) │ │ Co-Main: Kayla Harrison (C) vs. Amanda Nunes (WBW Title) │ │ Middleweight: Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui │ │ Welterweight: Uroš Medić vs. Kevin Holland │ │ Flyweight: Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ With two world titles on the line and potential divisional realignments hanging in the balance, UFC 334 promises another memorable chapter in New York fight history.

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Journalist and sports writer at Ghetto Radio. MMA journalist. You can reach out to me through my email: [email protected]

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