Stipe Miocic isn’t holding back, laying out exactly what he thinks about undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit right before Hokit challenges Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title at UFC 334 on November 14. Miocic said it plain: Hokit’s “shtick is a little too much.” That’s a strong statement from a legend, especially with Hokit putting his perfect 10-0 MMA record (4-0 UFC) on the line in the main event from Madison Square Garden, live on Paramount+.
Hokit’s Octagon Firepower Is Real, No Question
Look, even Miocic gives credit where it’s due when it comes to what Hokit does *inside* the cage. This dude has been walking the walk, backing up his talk with some wild performances. He put on a Fight of the Year contender against Curtis Blaydes and absolutely blasted Derrick Lewis with a first-round knockout. That’s serious business, and Miocic sees it. He’s called Hokit “definitely tough” and said he’s “getting better every fight.” Miocic pointed out Hokit’s wrestling background, saying he’s “always got that in his back pocket if something goes bad,” plus the guy “hits hard and he comes forward.” The only technical note from Miocic? Hokit “just needs to remember to keep his hands up and not get cracked, but I mean, that’s the heavyweight division.” Seems like a fair assessment from a guy who’s seen it all.
But That “Shtick” Outside the Cage? Not So Much.
Here’s where Miocic draws the line. While he respects Hokit’s game in the octagon, it’s everything *else* that rubs him the wrong way. “In terms of his character, I guess it’s each to his own. It’s not my style. That’s not how I do things. It’s a shtick. I don’t really care about all that,” Miocic told Casino.org. It’s clear Miocic views himself as a fighter, not a promoter, reflecting on whether he would have made more money acting like Hokit during his own career. “When I was fighting, I was there to fight. I’m not there to promote. UFC’s a promotional company, they can promote me if they want.” He caps it all off by saying, “Sometimes I just think he’s a little too much.” It’s a classic old-school vs. new-school mentality, and Miocic isn’t shy about where he stands.
Cain Velasquez Comparisons: Heavy Praise, Heavy Standards
The hype for Hokit is so real that Chris Weidman and even Ciryl Gane’s own head coach, Fernand Lopez, are comparing him to the legendary Cain Velasquez. That’s some serious company to be in! Miocic acknowledges it, saying “that’s a good category to be put in” because “Cain was a freak. He was an absolute animal.” Miocic sees it as a huge motivator for Hokit going into the Gane fight, a chance to “live up to those standards now.” But he also adds a dose of realism, noting “Cain, he’s a different breed.” So, while it’s “great to get praise like that,” Hokit still has to prove he’s got that “something special” to truly go “beyond that.”
Hokit’s big title shot against Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 on November 14 is shaping up to be massive. Will he silence the critics, including Miocic, or will his “shtick” prove to be his downfall? You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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