Drew Beaupré predicts UFC 334 prelim matchups including Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit

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MMA KO writer Drew Beaupré has released predictions for every bout on the UFC 334 preliminary card, ahead of the promotion’s main event featuring undisputed heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane against undefeated challenger Josh Hokit.

Beaupré frames the main event as the start of Gane’s reign as undisputed heavyweight champion, with Hokit arriving unbeaten and having compiled four wins since joining the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series last year.

In the co-main event, Beaupré points to a title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes, noting that Nunes is returning from retirement and that the two fighters were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 324 in January.

For the prelims, Beaupré predicts Stephen Thompson over Charles Radtke, saying Thompson should be able to work from range if he can avoid takedowns. He also picks Drew Dober over Chris Duncan, suggesting Duncan may be in trouble if he chooses to trade strikes with Dober.

Beaupré’s other prelim picks include Jim Miller over Terrance McKinney, after noting that McKinney missed weight, and Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida, with Beaupré choosing Almeida to keep things on track after Johnson was originally scheduled to face another undefeated middleweight, Baisangur Susurkaev.

On the early preliminary card, Beaupré predicts Jared Gordon over Melquizael Costa, and Macy Chiasson vs. Bia Mesquita with Beaupré backing Mesquita, citing her ability to threaten Chiasson with takedowns. He also picks Juan Diaz over Alatengheili after Diaz missed weight, while choosing Evan Elder over Juan Diaz for the separate bout listed as Elder vs. Diaz.

Beaupré’s final early-prelim pick is Elder in part because he says Elder has not established momentum in the UFC due to extended layoffs, and he describes this as a chance to secure what would be a fourth-straight win.