Ciryl Gane doesn’t think his weight class has ever been stronger.

The French star is the second straight UFC heavyweight champion to have won the crown outside of the Octagon, having been elevated from his interim status when Tom Aspinall vacated the throne.

Gane will defend his title against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 in New York City, as he looks to build an imposing reign at the top of the weight class.

Hokit has made a quick rise through what many are calling the worst heavyweight roster of all time. Gane, however, thinks the opposite is actually the case.

Ciryl Gane rejects criticism of the UFC heavyweight division in 2026

Legends like Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Fabricio Werdum once competed and reigned as champions in the UFC heavyweight division.

Those days are long behind us, and many deem the roster in 2026 to be mostly made up of low-skilled fighters who have become renowned for having three-round slogs that nobody seems to enjoy watching.

But Gane not only thinks that the talent high up the rankings makes up for that, he thinks it is enough to make the current heavyweight division better than all of its predecessors.

“The top 10 is incredible,” Gane said in a recent UFC video.

“I heard a lot of people talking about how the division is poor. I think the heavyweight division actually may be the best moment of the heavyweight division’s history,” he added.

Unsurprisingly, it did not take long for fans to push back on ‘Bon Gamin’s’ claim on social media.

“He barely said that with a straight face.”

“The most boring, ugly division. Dana (White) should have cut it.”

“Talent is there, but ‘best heavyweight division ever’ is a big claim.”

“HW has been in shambles the past few years.”

“I guess he didn’t watch the UFC back then.”

“He don’t believe that lol.”

“Literally the weakest division in the history of the UFC.”

Given that he is the champion, it would perhaps be expected for Gane to hype up the division he rules over to further enhance his status.

The next step in doing that come against Hokit on November 14 at Madison Square Garden.