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Hokit drops a diss track on Gane before UFC 334… and spares no one: Jones, Aspinall, Pereira and even Topuria

The unbeaten heavyweight title challenger has turned rapper. His track 'MSG Freestyle' goes straight at Gane's eye pokes and takes shots at everyone. Dustin Poirier has already given his verdict.

By Equipo La Jaula Props · November 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Photos: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Primavera, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons, cropped)

Ten days out from his heavyweight title fight, Josh Hokit has found an original way to hype UFC 334: a song. On November 1 he released 'MSG Freestyle' on his YouTube channel, a music video of about two and a half minutes under his rap name, J-Word.

The targets

Ciryl Gane, his November 14 opponent, is the main target. The song keeps coming back to the Frenchman's controversial eye pokes.
There are also shots at Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Alex Pereira and even Ilia Topuria.
The video has explicit language and isn't for all audiences.

Why the eye pokes

It's the most sensitive topic of Gane's recent career. At UFC 321 in October 2025, his title fight with Tom Aspinall ended in a no contest at 4:35 of the first round after Gane accidentally poked him in both eyes. Aspinall needed several surgeries, his recovery dragged on and he eventually vacated the belt. Gane, who had won the interim title against Alex Pereira in June 2026, became undisputed champion. This week, Dominick Cruz came out in the Frenchman's defense.

Reactions

Dustin Poirier loved the track: "He's crushing it, man." Gane hasn't responded so far.

Who is Josh Hokit

Unbeaten at 10-0. He earned his UFC contract on the Contender Series in August 2025.
He beat Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision at UFC 327 (April 2026).
He knocked out Derrick Lewis in the second round at UFC Freedom 250 (June 2026), the same night Gane beat Pereira.
On November 14 he fights Gane for the title at Madison Square Garden.

The La Jaula take

Hokit knows that to beat Gane he has to pull him out of his comfort zone

Gane is the most technical and composed heavyweight in the division: if the fight stays at range, with his reach and movement, he's very hard to beat. Hokit knows it, which is why he doesn't attack his striking but his reputation: the eye pokes are the only weak spot in Gane's image.

There's a practical effect that's no joke. With everyone talking about Gane's fingers, the referee will be more alert than ever, and any open hand could cost him a point. In a five-round fight, one point can decide the title.

And outside the cage, Hokit has already won: ten days before his first title fight, everyone is talking about him.

Our verdict:We're sticking with Gane by decision, but the song has added pressure: if Hokit can take the fight to the mat, an upset in New York is possible.

Frequently asked questions

What is Josh Hokit's song called?

'MSG Freestyle'. He released it on his YouTube channel on November 1, 2026 under his rap name, J-Word.

Who does Hokit target in his song?

Mainly Ciryl Gane, his UFC 334 opponent, but also Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria.

What happened with Gane and Aspinall's eye?

At UFC 321 (October 2025), Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in the eyes and the fight ended in a no contest. Aspinall needed several surgeries and eventually vacated the title.

When do Gane and Hokit fight?

Saturday, November 14, 2026 at UFC 334, at Madison Square Garden in New York, for the heavyweight title.

What is Josh Hokit's record?

10-0. In the UFC he has beaten, among others, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis.

Sources