Rashad Evans On Gane's 'Huge' UFC 334 Test

Ciryl Gane gets an opportunity to silence critics of his wrestling defense when he puts the UFC heavyweight title on the line against Josh Hokit this Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Former champion Rashad Evans views the UFC 334 main event as a critical proving ground for the Frenchman, who must demonstrate improvement against wrestlers following his lopsided defeat to Jon Jones. Evans told MMA Junkie that Hokit's grappling-heavy approach will test whether Gane has addressed the glaring holes exposed in that title fight.

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Ground Game Remains Question Mark for Heavyweight Champion

The way Gane looked lost on the mat against Jones damaged his reputation as an elite heavyweight, Evans explained. Watching a fighter at championship level struggle with fundamental defensive grappling changed how fans viewed his overall skill set, the former light heavyweight king noted.

"This is a huge test for him," Evans said of Saturday's bout. Gane now faces a wrestler capable of dragging him into deep water and forcing him to prove those skills have evolved.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Polymarket UFC 334: Gane vs Hokit on Ticketmaster →

Evans suggested the heavyweight champion has developed much of his game while already competing at the highest level, which inevitably leads to public setbacks. The real measure of a fighter, he added, comes in how they respond after those weaknesses get exposed on a major stage.

UFC 334 airs Saturday from Madison Square Garden with the heavyweight title bout closing the card.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Rashad Evans believes Ciryl Gane faces ‘huge’ test in UFC 334 main event