Ciryl Gane sweeps Josh Hokit on the scorecards to retain heavyweight title at UFC 334 at MSG

NEW YORK — Josh Hokit wore an American flag bandana and sunglasses as he extended his hand toward Ciryl Gane and briefly dropped his outrageous “Incredible Hok” persona. “You're tougher than I thought,” Hokit said. Gane was tough. And he's still the champ. Gane successfully defended his heavyweight championship, sweeping the scorecards over the five-round fight to win a unanimous decision and beat Hokit in the main event as UFC 334 bled into early Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Gane won 48-47 on all three scorecards as the pro-Hokit crowd howled in disbelief. Gane (15-2) defeated Alex Pereira at the White House card in June and claimed the interim heavyweight title before he was promoted to undisputed champion in Tom Aspinall's absence November. Gane and Hokit (10-1) engaged in a slugfest that left both fighters bloodied — Hokit above the left eye, Gane from the mouth — but neither one landed any sustained offense which forced this outcome to the judges. Hokit smirked as the decision was announced. “I will rejoice in my suffering, suffering builds endurance, endurance builds character, and character builds hope," Hokit said. “I will never lose hope. I will be champion one day.” Hokit flipped off Gane once, ducked a right, and extended a middle...