Josh Hokit (via Getty Images) Josh Hokit has revealed how he tried to get under Ciryl Gane’s skin before their upcoming UFC heavyweight title fight. The two fighters shared a locker room during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, giving Hokit an opportunity to confront Gane before their showdown. Hokit decided to target Gane’s basketball background and turned the interaction into a memorable trash-talking moment.According to Hokit, he questioned Gane about how long he had played basketball before dismissing his experience. Hokit then confidently told the French heavyweight that none of it would matter when they faced each other.
Josh Hokit takes aim at Ciryl Gane’s basketball skills
Josh Hokit recalled the interaction while discussing his relationship with Ciryl Gane ahead of their heavyweight championship fight.The two fighters were together backstage at the UFC Freedom 250 event. The card took place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., giving the heavyweight contenders a rare opportunity to share the same space before their scheduled fight.Rather than avoid his future opponent, Hokit decided to engage Gane in some pre-fight ‘trash talk’.The American revealed that he noticed Gane in their shared locker room and immediately brought up basketball.He said, “We were sharing a locker room together. I saw him and I pressed him about basketball. I was like ‘how long you’ve been playing basketball?… It don’t f*cking matter how long, you can’t defend this move’.”Hokit’s comments were clearly made to get inside Gane’s head. He used Gane’s basketball background as a way to build confidence ahead of their heavyweight meeting.Gane has previously shown an interest in basketball, making the subject an easy target for Hokit during their encounter. Instead of discussing their MMA skills, Hokit challenged Gane over his ability to defend a basketball move.The exchange eventually made its way onto social media.Gane responded to the viral moment with a short message aimed directly at Hokit, “We will recreate this with you.”The response added another layer to the growing rivalry between the two heavyweights. Hokit has remained confident while discussing the matchup, while Gane will look to use his experience and skills when the two finally meet inside the Octagon.Their fight is scheduled for November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The bout will headline UFC 334 and will have the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship on the line.Hokit enters the title fight with confidence and has continued to make headlines with his comments about other fighters. Gane, meanwhile, has responded to the trash talk without backing away from the challenge.Their next meeting will be very different from the White House locker room encounter. There will be no basketball court and no casual conversation. Instead, the heavyweight championship will be at stake inside Madison Square Garden.