Hokit On Aspinall After UFC 334: 'I Don't Think He Wants To Come Back'

Josh Hokit says he will fight Tom Aspinall if he captures the heavyweight title at UFC 334, but he does not expect the former champion to return to competition.

Hokit faces Ciryl Gane on Saturday at Madison Square Garden with the undisputed heavyweight belt on the line, over a year after Aspinall's title defense against Gane ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke. Aspinall has been sidelined indefinitely with an injury from that fight, and Gane claimed the undisputed strap after beating Alex Pereira at UFC White House and being elevated from interim champion, MMA Fighting reports.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 334 on Ticketmaster →

Hokit Questions Aspinall's UFC Future

Asked about a potential Aspinall fight at Wednesday's media day, Hokit said he would be an active champion but questioned whether the Brit wants to compete in the octagon again. "I don't think he wants to come back," Hokit said, per MMA Fighting. "You signed with Eddie Hearn, Dana [White's] archnemesis. To me, that's like you're just trying to get to the money, get a money fight in in boxing."

Hokit is four fights into his UFC career after debuting last year, racking up four straight wins including a performance against Curtis Blaydes that drew Fight of the Year buzz. The undefeated contender told reporters he believes winning the heavyweight title would revive a division that has lacked an active champion in recent years. He said everything in his life has prepared him for this moment, pointing to his wrestling background since age four and the journey that brought him to a title shot after just four UFC appearances.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 334 on Ticketmaster →

Hokit has drawn attention for off-color remarks outside the cage, including a comment about former First Lady Michelle Obama after his win over Derrick Lewis that prompted criticism from UFC CEO Dana White. Hokit and Gane meet Saturday in New York with the heavyweight championship at stake.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Josh Hokit open to fight Tom Aspinall after UFC 334, but ‘I don’t think he wants to come back’