Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit are set to headline UFC 334 in New York City on Saturday, marking a pivotal moment for the heavyweight division.
The fighters participated in ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, where they engaged in a final staredown before their scheduled championship bout, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Hokit, 29, challenged the champion during the event and delivered a sharp verbal warning to his opponent.
“Ciryl, the code word’s going to be colon cleanse, because I’m going to beat the s*** out of you,” Hokit stated during the weigh-ins.
Gane, 36, was elevated to undisputed status in September after Tom Aspinall vacated the title, according to records of the division’s transition.
The Frenchman, who faced boos from the local crowd, maintained a composed outlook regarding the upcoming contest.
“It’s just another fight for me,” Gane remarked during the proceedings.
The event also features a co-main event between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes for the women’s bantamweight title.
Harrison, who is returning from surgery that caused a previous postponement, expressed her readiness for the grudge match, as detailed in prior coverage.
Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer returning from retirement, shared her anticipation for the bout.
“I’m happy to be here,” Nunes said of the upcoming fight.
The full card includes 13 fights, with live coverage available for viewers starting at 5 p.m. ET.
Additional news regarding the promotion includes the return of Mike Perry, who has officially re-signed with the UFC, per recent announcements.
The weigh-in results confirmed that most fighters met their weight requirements, though some athletes will face fines for missing their marks.