Cyril Gane, heading into his 'first heavyweight title defense,' faces Josh Hackett: "My mindset is always the same... I will definitely win"

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UFC Heavyweight Undisputed Champion Cyril Gane (36, France) will step into his first title defense against No. 4-ranked Josh Hackett (28, USA).

The UFC announced that it will host 'Polymarket UFC 334: Gane vs. Hackett' at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York State, on the 15th (Korean time).

In the main event, Heavyweight (120.2 kg) Champion Cyril Gane will face off against Hackett.

Cyril Gane (14 wins, 2 losses) ascended to the Undisputed Championship after three failed title challenges. He lost to Francis Ngannou in a UFC Heavyweight title fight in 2022 and fell to Jon Jones in 2023. His 2025 title bout against Tom Aspinall was ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Subsequently, he defeated Alex Pereira at the UFC Freedom 250 event last June to claim the interim championship, and secured the undisputed champion position after Aspinall vacated the title due to injury.

According to the UFC, Gane said ahead of his first defense, "Although I am stepping into this event with the status of champion, I do not feel any particularly different emotion in my heart." He added, "I have maintained a top-3 ranking since 2021 and have fought the best fighters in the division over the past five years, so my mindset has always been the same. Even though I hold the belt, the essence that I must definitely win the next fight remains unchanged."

Challenger Hackett is challenging for the top spot just three years after his professional debut. He debuted on the mixed martial arts (MMA) professional stage in October 2023 and entered the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) in August 2025 after a five-fight winning streak. Since joining the UFC, he has run up a four-fight win streak by defeating Curtis Blaydes, Derrick Lewis, and others, earning a title shot within one year of his entry. Hackett began wrestling at age four, was selected as an All-American in NCAA Division 1 while ranking fifth nationally during his college years, and transitioned to MMA after working as a professional American football player following his graduation.

Hackett stated, "Winning this title fight means Gotham City is saved, the heavyweight division is revived, and the dark past finally goes into a coffin." He continued, "The heavyweight division has been a cursed weight class that has lacked a truly active champion for a long time. I will keep fighting without stopping, chasing money and opportunities, and I will show fans what a truly vibrant, active champion looks like."

This matchup features a head-on collision between Gane's Muay Thai striking and Hackett's wrestling. Gane, who experienced various sports such as soccer and basketball during his school days, entered combat sports through Muay Thai at age 24 and even served as the French Muay Thai Association Champion. In the UFC, he rose to the top by knocking out Alex Pereira, a former Glory Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion, with striking. On the other hand, Hackett, an NCAA Division 1 All-American, employs a style combining striking and wrestling, using his excellent stamina to continue chain wrestling and pressure his opponent even if his first takedown attempt fails.

Gane expressed confidence, saying, "Many people cite my wrestling and ground skills as weaknesses, but I have made tremendous progress in this area." He added, "I like winning with masterclass-level striking, but it is no problem regardless of what strategy my opponent employs." Hackett emphasized, "People only focus on my American football career, but the true foundation of my fighting is wrestling, which started when I was four years old. I need to close the distance and apply pressure. That is exactly where I am best at."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original