Gane, Harrison retain titles in historic night at UFC 334

NEW YORK CITY — Madison Square Garden hosted UFC 334 on Saturday night, with two championship matchups headlining a card that delivered a memorable retirement performance, a fast finish over one of the promotion’s most durable veterans and an unusual majority draw.

Few venues in sports carry the fight history of Madison Square Garden. From Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier's legendary 1971 "Fight of the Century" to decades of championship boxing, the Garden has long been one of combat sports' most iconic stages. The UFC made its long-awaited debut at the venue in November 2016 with UFC 205, headlined by Conor McGregor's historic victory over Eddie Alvarez. Ten years later, UFC 334 marked the promotion's 10th event inside the Garden, adding another chapter to the building's storied fight history. 

Ciryl Gane def. Josh Hokit via unanimous decision (48-47 x3) 

Gane retained his heavyweight championship after five hard fought rounds, earning a unanimous decision on all three judges' scorecards. The fight delivered an extraordinary display of heavyweight striking, with both men setting records for significant strikes. 

The bout opened at a frenetic pace rarely seen among the division's biggest fighters. Gane landed precise uppercuts and jabs, while Hokit answered with a barrage of punches and refused to let off the gas. The second round continued at a heavy-metal, breakneck pace, with both fighters trading shots and showing little interest in slowing down. After 10 minutes of nonstop action, both warriors were wearing damage. The Madison Square Garden crowd responded with chants of "USA." 

The action finally had to slow down in the third round, if only slightly. Hokit continued pressing forward and landing shots, while Gane countered effectively, defended takedown attempts and worked elbows into the clinch. Hokit also pressed Gane against the cage and delivered foot stomps looking to wear down the champion. 

The champion took control in the fourth round with crisp, accurate striking, finding a rhythm and catching his second wind. He continued building momentum in the fifth, surpassing former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier’s record for most significant strikes landed in a heavyweight fight (182). The two combined to land 589 total strikes, also a new UFC heavyweight record. The judges all saw it the same, three rounds to two in favor of Gane, a gutsy performance in retaining his championship.  

Kayla Harrison def. Amanda Nunes via submission (guillotine choke), Round 4 

Harrison took some early shots from Nunes in the opening round, but the champions’ wrestling and judo soon took over. A powerful hip toss put Nunes on her back, allowing Harrison to establish top control and unload punches for more than a minute. 

Round two brought more of the same, with Harrison repeatedly closing the distance, clinching and controlling Nunes on the ground. Nunes' willingness to engage in grappling exchanges was a puzzling strategy against an Olympic gold medalist in judo, playing directly into Harrison's strength. 

In the third Harrison landed a slicing elbow that opened a cut above Nunes' eyebrow. She ultimately secured the victory in the fourth, locking in a guillotine choke to force the submission and successfully defend her bantamweight championship. 

Following the victory, Harrison was emotional and reflective in the octagon. 

"It feels surreal…if you told me at 16-years-old this would be my life, I wouldn't believe you. I'm humble. It's an honor and a privilege to stand before you. New York I love you," Harrison said to the MSG crowd. 

Stephen Thompson def. Charles Radtke via TKO (spinning wheel kick), Round 2 

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson delivered a spectacular finish in the final fight of his career, stopping Charles Radtke with a spinning wheel kick in the second round. The 43-year-old had announced UFC 334 would be his retirement fight, leaving the Octagon with the kind of highlight-reel moment that defined his karate-based striking style. Thompson laid down his gloves after the win, closing the book on a career that included two UFC welterweight title challenges. 

Terrance McKinney def. Jim Miller via KO (punches), Round 1 

McKinney needed less than two minutes to put away Jim Miller, catching the veteran with a hard left hand before following up with punches to force the stoppage. Miller entered the matchup as one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history and the promotion's all-time leader in appearances and victories. 

Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland ends in a majority draw (28-28 x2, 30-27 Holland) 

The welterweight bout produced a strange scorecard result after two low blows from Medic interrupted the action. Holland came close to a first-round finish with a knockdown and a D'Arce choke, but Medic escaped before the horn. A second groin strike in the next round led referee Marc Goddard to deduct a point from Medic. Holland appeared to be in position for the decision, but two judges scored the fight 28-28 while the third had it 30-27 for Holland, resulting in a majority draw. 

Additonal bouts

Caio Borralho def. Yousri Belgaroui via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) 

Chris Duncan def. Drew Dober via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) 

Cesar Almeida def. Donte Johnson via TKO (punches), Round 1 

Melquizael Costa def. Jared Gordon via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) 

Bia Mesquita def. Macy Chiasson via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1 

Juan Diaz def. Alatengheili via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) 

Evan Elder def. Samuel Sanches via unanimous decision (30-26 x3) 

Next up 

Nov. 21: UFC Fight Night 29 – Prochazka vs. Stirling (Doha, Qatar)

Dec. 5: UFC Fight Night 30 – Adesanya vs. Magomedov (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Dec. 12: UFC 335 – Oliveira vs. Lopes  (Las Vegas, NV, USA)