Volkov Mocks Hokit's Heavyweight Title Shot, Takes Aim at Gane
The short version
- Josh Hokit challenges heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden.
- Volkov sarcastically described Hokit as a 'guy with mental illness' while saying he's fine waiting for his own title shot.
- Volkov faces Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 on Oct. 24.
- Volkov ranks above Hokit and is on a two-fight win streak.
- Volkov criticized Gane over eye-pokes on Tom Aspinall and back-of-the-head strikes on Alex Pereira.
Alexander Volkov said he supports Josh Hokit getting a UFC heavyweight title shot before him — while sarcastically calling the challenger a 'guy with mental illness.'
Alexander Volkov says he has no problem waiting behind Josh Hokit for a UFC heavyweight title opportunity — but his reasoning was laced with sarcasm. Speaking on "The Ariel Helwani Show" on Wednesday, the veteran heavyweight said Hokit is "clearly dealing with some mental illness" and called it admirable of the UFC to give him a title shot. Hokit has drawn criticism for offensive comments since joining the UFC in 2025.
Hokit challenges new undisputed heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 14, a booking announced during the UFC 331 broadcast this past Saturday. The title became vacant after Tom Aspinall relinquished the undisputed belt.
Volkov, 37, is ranked above Hokit in the official UFC rankings and has won two straight fights. Before any title shot, he must face Rizvan Kuniev at UFC 333 on Oct. 24. Volkov said that if he and Hokit both win, a fight between them would be ideal, adding that if Hokit wins, "America vs. Russia" would be the best outcome, while a Gane victory would set up a trilogy.
Volkov also criticized Gane, who recently called Aspinall "mentally fragile" during his recovery from eye-pokes sustained in their October title bout. Volkov pointed to Gane's quick loss to Jon Jones as evidence of hypocrisy, saying Gane gave up in that fight, and accused him of repeatedly using illegal tactics, including strikes to the back of the head in his last fight against Alex Pereira.
