UFC Fighter Josh Hokit Defends Comment Calling Michelle Obama a ‘Man’
6 verified4 unconfirmed1 contested
UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit is defending his post-fight comment calling former first lady Michelle Obama a “man,” saying it was meant as a compliment and a demonstration of free speech. Hokit made the remark on June 14 after defeating Derrick Lewis at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House lawn. In a subsequent interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Hokit said he believed the comment showcased “how great this country is with freedom of speech.” He also stated he would never apologize or backtrack from his words. UFC CEO Dana White criticized Hokit’s statement, calling it “nasty and false” and saying he is “completely against” such remarks about people’s families. The White House initially declined to directly address the controversy, with a Trump spokesman praising Hokit’s performance in the fight.
What’s verified
Josh Hokit called Michelle Obama a “man” during a post-fight interview on June 14 after defeating Derrick Lewis at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
On “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Hokit said he meant the comment as a “compliment,” stating that Michelle Obama “knows how to work hard like a man when the times get tough.”
Hokit also said the comment was meant to highlight freedom of speech in the United States, claiming that in other countries he could be killed for such remarks.
Hokit stated he will not backtrack or apologize for the comment.
UFC CEO Dana White condemned Hokit’s remarks, saying he is against saying “nasty and false things” about people’s families.
The White House, through a spokesman, did not directly address the comment but focused on Hokit’s victory in the fight.
Where accounts differ
Dana White’s criticism was reported as being given to different outlets: one source says he issued a statement to Time magazine; another source says he spoke to the Los Angeles Times. The content of his criticism is consistent across sources.
Not yet confirmed
Neither source explains why Hokit chose to make the comment at that specific moment, beyond his own explanation about free speech.
One source reports that commentator Joe Rogan appeared flustered and backed away from Hokit after the remark, and that the live audience erupted in shouts. This detail is not mentioned in the second source.
The same source notes that the Trump spokesman’s response came via CNN’s Jake Tapper; the other source does not include that context.
The specific date of Hokit’s appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show” is not confirmed across both sources.
Key figures
Josh Hokit, UFC fighter
Michelle Obama, former first lady
Dana White, UFC CEO
Derrick Lewis, UFC heavyweight (Hokit’s opponent)
Ariel Helwani, interviewer
Joe Rogan, commentator
Steven Cheung, Trump spokesman
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
