Josh Hokit wants Ciryl Gane after Tom Aspinall vacates UFC title, while Josh Thomson backs his controversial plan

Tom Aspinall’s decision to vacate the UFC heavyweight title has quickly changed the picture at the top of the division. With Aspinall stepping away because of his ongoing eye problems, Josh Hokit has already put forward his own plan. He wants to fight Ciryl Gane next and believes Alex Pereira should earn another win at heavyweight before getting a title shot. Former UFC fighter Josh Thomson seemed to like the idea, replying simply, “Take My Money.”Josh Hokit wants Ciryl Gane after Tom Aspinall vacates UFC titleAspinall announced on September 14 that he was giving up the heavyweight belt because he could not get medical clearance to fight. His latest eye injury has forced him to put his return on hold, leaving the UFC heavyweight division without its champion.The timing puts Gane in a strong position. Gane was already the interim heavyweight champion after his fight with Aspinall ended in a no contest at UFC 321 in October 2025. Aspinall could not continue after suffering eye pokes during the bout.Hokit now wants the UFC to move forward with him and Gane.“The fans deserve Me vs Gane. I’ll give Ciryl what he has coming. If Alex can win 1 fight in my weight class, I’ll give it to him too, early ‘27. I’ll be the most active champ in the company.”The message makes Hokit’s plans pretty clear. He wants Gane next, but he is also leaving the door open for Pereira if the former light heavyweight champion can first pick up a win at heavyweight.Hokit has also been clear that he does not think Pereira should walk straight into another title fight. He shared his view in a post aimed at both Pereira and Ilia Topuria.“Growing up, I loved the @ufc & all of its fighters. So it gives me great pleasure to use my platform today to speak the truth. Neither Ilia Topuria nor Alex Pereira deserve a fu*king title shot in their next fight. They both got handily destroyed. Make them earn it and fight their way back like everyone else. Sincerely, The Fans.”Josh Thomson backs Josh Hokit’s Ciryl Gane title planThat stance has now received a short but strong reaction from Thomson. The former UFC fighter responded to Hokit’s proposed plan with just three words: “Take My Money.”Thomson did not add a long explanation, but his reaction makes it clear that he likes the idea of seeing Hokit and Gane share the cage.For Hokit, the next step is straightforward. He wants the UFC to book him against Gane for the heavyweight title, while Pereira would have to prove himself in the division first.There is no official announcement yet for Gane’s next fight. But with Aspinall no longer holding the belt, Hokit has wasted no time putting his name forward for the biggest opportunity in the division.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.