UFC Awards Title Shot to Josh Hokit Over Alexander Volkov Rematch

The UFC has awarded Josh Hokit a heavyweight title shot against Ciryl Gane, bypassing Alexander Volkov despite the Russian's claim to a rematch following a controversial split-decision loss.

Volkov, nicknamed "Drago," enters the conversation as the division's second-ranked heavyweight with a record of 40-11-0. The 37-year-old from Russia stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach and has been one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent striking accuracy rate. His case for a title shot was built on the contentious nature of his last outing, with the split decision outcome leaving the door open for a legitimate argument that he deserved another crack at the belt.

Gane, ranked first in the heavyweight division, holds a record of 14-2-0 and brings elite technical striking to the champion conversation. The 36-year-old Frenchman out of MMA Factory stands six-foot-four with an 81-inch reach — the longest in the matchup — and lands 5.29 significant strikes per minute at a 61 percent accuracy rate, among the highest marks for any heavyweight in the promotion. He also averages 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a wrestling dimension to his game.

Why it matters

• Hokit's title opportunity leapfrogs the No. 2-ranked Volkov, raising questions about how the UFC weighs rankings against other factors when booking championship bouts.
• Volkov's split-decision grievance gives him a credible platform to push for a future title eliminator, keeping the heavyweight division's top contender picture unsettled.
• Gane's technical striking style and physical advantages set up a compelling stylistic challenge for any heavyweight opponent.
• The decision signals that the UFC is willing to look beyond rankings when building its heavyweight title picture, which could reshape the division's contender hierarchy.