Mark Coleman backs Josh Hokit against Ciryl Gane: 'Get this guy down and pound his ass'
The UFC's first heavyweight champion warned that a fresh Gane "will knock you out really quick" and wants Hokit to wrestle him before they trade on the feet at UFC 334.
Mark Coleman, the UFC's first heavyweight champion, says he is "all in" on Josh Hokit against Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 and has told him to take the champion down.
In an interview with Bowks Talking Bouts, Coleman said: "I'm impressed with Hokit. I've been on his wagon since day one." He pointed to Hokit's background as a college football player and wrestler, adding: "Well, that turns me on, man, because that's what I wanted to be."
Coleman also praised what Hokit has done on social media, including his rap song. He said: "He's a social media king right now, man." He added: "He's just killing it and he can back it up."
The former champion said that in Hokit's place he would wrestle first. "It's always an advantage to be on top of somebody. That's a fact," Coleman said. He wanted to "soften him up and tire him out a little bit before we trade on the feet", and said: "A fresh Ciryl Gane, oh, that boy will knock you out really quick if he's fresh."
Coleman said he loved Justin Gaethje's style but did not think it was the best way to win, and that champions are the ones who take people down and keep them down. He said: "But get this guy down and pound his ass." He went on: "Get on top of him and shut his f***ing eyes. Throw a headbutt if you have to."
Coleman, who also won the Pride Grand Prix in 2000, called Gane against Hokit the fight he was most excited about, but said the heavyweight division was not deep after its top six or seven fighters.
Hokit is unbeaten in 10 fights but gives away three inches in height and seven and a half inches in reach to Gane at Madison Square Garden. The UFC 334 card starts at 22:00 UK time on Saturday, and TNT Sports shows the event in the UK.
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