Picks, Best Bets for UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit

UFC 334 is almost here! Saturday night in New York City, the MMA leader is hosting an event at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, headlined by two title fights. Ciryl Gane is defending the Heavyweight Championship against Josh Hokit in the Main Event of UFC 334. In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes looks to recapture the Women’s Bantamweight title against current champion Kayla Harrison. 

Check out my best bets and full breakdown below ahead of Saturday’s UFC 334 event.

Best Bets for UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit

• Gane vs. Hokit Method of Victory: KO/TKO/DQ (-185): With two powerful strikers who combine for 13 knockouts, this matchup has all the makings of a slugfest, with Gane or Hokit likely to win by KO/TKO/DQ. 
• Kayla Harrison Moneyline (-166): Nunes’ UFC resume is top tier, but facing someone of Harrison’s caliber while being out of competition for over three years could make it difficult for her to keep up. 
• Donte Johnson to Win by KO/TKO/DQ (+140): Donte Johnson is coming off an incredible knockout and has the tools to do so once again against a struggling Almeida.

UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit Best Bets Breakdown

Gane vs. Hokit Method of Victory: KO/TKO/DQ (-185)

Gane is coming off a spectacular second-round knockout over Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June to win the Interim Heavyweight title. Later, Gane was upgraded to Undisputed Champion after Tom Aspinall vacated it. Gane now defends the title against Hokit, who enters the bout with an undefeated 10-0 record and nine finishes. 

Physically, Gane has the advantage as he is taller (6’4″ vs. 6’1″) with a larger standing reach (81″ vs. 73″) while being heavier (242.6 vs. 231.4). On the feet, Hokit averages more significant strikes per minute (9.29 vs. 5.40) and is more accurate (64% vs. 61%). But Gane is more defensively sound, only absorbing 2.31 significant strikes per minute compared to Hokit’s 5.28. Although Hokit is better on the ground, he hasn’t used that area of his game often, recording only 2, 0, 1, and 0 takedowns in his previous four bouts. 

On DraftKings Sportsbook, Gane is a -225 favorite, while Hokit is a +185 underdog. Although Gane is more experienced and a big step up in competition for Hokit, the challenger does still have a good chance with his ruthless mentality and supreme power. Hokit has won five of his previous six fights by knockout, while four of Gane’s last five wins have come by KO/TKO/DQ. With that said, my favorite play is taking this fight to end by KO/TKO/DQ at -185. 

Kayla Harrison Moneyline (-166)

The co-main event of UFC 334 features one of the most anticipated women’s fights in UFC history. Nunes, a former two-division UFC champion, is returning after three years away to try to end her former teammate’s reign. Harrison won the title against Juliana Pena at UFC 316 in June 2025 but was later sidelined by neck surgery. Harrison, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo is one of the most accomplished combat sports athletes of all time. Nunes has 11 UFC title wins, tying for the fourth-most in promotion history. 

But the wait is nearly over as the two legends will meet in the Octagon on Saturday night to determine who is the best. Both stand at 5’8″, with Nunes having a three-inch edge in standing reach (69″ vs. 66″). In the UFC, Nunes lands more significant strikes (4.55 vs. 4.29), but Harrison is more accurate (62% vs. 51%) and has a better defense rate (66% vs. 57%) on the feet. 

Although Harrison only averages 0.11 more takedowns per 15 minutes, she will likely have the edge on the ground due to her elite background. Yes, both fighters are coming off a long layoff, but Harrison has still been more active, with three more fights since Nunes last competed. Harrison has had at least six minutes of control time in her previous two fights. If Harrison can get this fight to the ground, she should be able to dominate her on the mat and secure the win. In this fight, Harrison is a -166 favorite, while Nunes is a +140 underdog.

Donte Johnson to Win by KO/TKO/DQ (+140)

Donte Johnson is 9-0 with eight finishes at 27 years old and appears to have all the makings of a future Middleweight contender. In 2026, Johnson is 2-0 and last beat Eric McConico by first-round knockout at UFC 330 in August. Johnson now faces Cesar Almeida, who is coming off two straight losses in the UFC.

Even though Almeida is five inches taller, they both have the same standing reach (74″). Almeida averages more significant strikes (3.73 vs. 3.36) and is more accurate (60% vs. 46%). But that is a little misleading, as three of Johnson’s previous four wins came in the first or second round. With Johnson’s fast pace and one-punch knockout power, I don’t see Almeida lasting very long. Since Johnson has won seven of nine fights by knockout, I’m taking him to win by KO/TKO/DQ at +140 in this bout. 

Stats provided by UFC Stats.