Sean Strickland is backing Josh Hokit to claim heavyweight gold this weekend – and with relative ease.

Hokit’s ascendancy through the ranks has seen him earn a shot at the world title in a Madison Square Garden main event within a year of his debut. He will take on Ciryl Gane at UFC 334, and will have to overcome his toughest test yet to finish a fairytale story.

Who leaves UFC 334 as the heavyweight champion? 👑

Strickland is one of only two male American champions in the promotion, and believes that Hokit’s wrestling is the key to victory. He watched the former NFL star’s fellow Jackson Wink student Jon Jones handily defeat Gane three years ago by utilizing his ground game, and feels the same happens here.

Sean Strickland backs Josh Hokit in UFC 334 main event

Sean Strickland is not known to be a fan of Josh Hokit’s saying as recently as this year that the heavyweight goes “too far” with some of his antics and characters. However, he reckons that the American wrestling that Hokit possesses will be too much for Ciryl Gane.

The Frenchman was taken down by Jon Jones and submitted within minutes of their 2023 clash. Hokit is a similarly experienced Division I wrestler, and Strickland believes that his pressure will be far too much for the Frenchman, who is a renowned striker.

“I’m going to give you another banger for Ciryl Gane vs Josh Hokit,” Strickland told fans in a social media video. “I think the betting line’s going to change so I’d get on it now if you’re going to bet and let me tell you why.

“When Gane fought Jon Jones, his wrestling was so bad. If you’re a world champion at this level and you still can’t wrestle you’ve hit your ceiling. Josh Hokit is a smart guy, he’s going to take him down. I’m thinking either a TKO or submission in the second or third round. That’s my prediction, get it done.”