Kamaru Usman calls Ciryl Gane the 'most dynamic heavyweight' and backs him to beat Josh Hokit

Usman put Francis Ngannou ahead on power, calling him "probably the most dangerous heavyweight", and said Hokit has picked up the heel role Colby Covington took to "a whole nother level".

Kamaru Usman says Ciryl Gane is "the most dynamic heavyweight we've ever seen" and does not expect Josh Hokit to take the UFC heavyweight title from him.

Gane makes his first defence of the undisputed title against Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday 14 November. Usman, a former UFC welterweight champion, discussed the fight with Henry Cejudo on their Pound 4 Pound show.

"I don't think we've ever seen a heavyweight ever as dynamic as Ciryl Gane," Usman said. "We've never seen that. We've never seen a heavyweight that could float around the octagon like that, switch stance, kick, elbow, knee, do it all and still be able to have a submission threat."

He went on: "I just think Ciryl Gane is the most dynamic heavyweight we've ever seen. Listen, as far as power, Francis Ngannou is probably the most dangerous heavyweight we've ever seen." Usman also called Cain Velasquez "an amazing heavyweight" before turning to the fight: "I don't see Josh Hokit getting it done." He said Hokit is "a guy that understands how to get there" and is "racking up the bread".

Usman had placed Hokit in a line of UFC heels. He called Chael Sonnen "the first real heel" and said Covington "just took that to a whole nother level". "Now Josh Hokit is willing to take that flag and run," he said. "He understands the game and he understands where he needs to get to now."

Hokit earned the title shot by beating Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 in April and stopping Derrick Lewis at UFC White House, and has rapped "Frenchy leaving in a diaper" about Gane in a song before the fight. Gane won the interim belt by stopping Alex Pereira at the White House in June and holds the undisputed title because Tom Aspinall vacated it in September. On the same show, Usman said Covington's grappling loss to Raul Rosas Jr was "not excusable".

READ NEXTJosh Hokit tells Dana White 'send anybody you want' and calls Derrick Lewis a 'Fat Cow Pig'Read the next story →

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google