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UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit has said he believed he was complimenting former first lady Michelle Obama when he repeated false claims that she was "a man" at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, sparking widespread backlash.
Hokit faced criticism following his post-fight interview, after he defeated Derrick Lewis by technical knockout. After thanking President Donald Trump for hosting the event, he ended his exchange with commentator Joe Rogan by saying: "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?"
"I thought I was giving her a compliment," Hokit told sports journalist Ariel Helwani during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show that aired Tuesday.
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"I don’t think anyone viewed it as such," said Helwani.
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Hokit continued: "Michelle Obama being a man that’s like, uh, she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to work hard like a man. You know, when the times get tough, you know, the tough keep going."
Helwani then asked Hokit what led him to make the remark in the first place.
"I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with the freedom of speech," Hokit said. "You go somewhere and you say something like that and you die. And I’m not suicidal by the way. I’m in good spirits. I’m a little under the weather right now but other than that, I’m good. And so in other parts of the world, you say something like that and you’re not here to speak to Ariel Helwani, you know. So yeah, I don’t know, there’s a few ways—there’s a few answers to that. There’s a certain side that pokes at another side and there’s no outrage there and so I thought it was a perfect time to take a jab."
Helwani also asked if Hokit regretted his comments, to which Hokit shook his head and answered, "Oh, never." The fighter added: "You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say."
Newsweek has reached out to Hokit and Michelle Obama for comment.
Hokit’s Michelle Obama Comments Spark Backlash
Hokit’s claim at UFC Freedom 250 echoed an unfounded conspiracy theory about the former first lady that has circulated for years. The heavyweight’s remarks drew widespread condemnation, including from UFC CEO Dana White.
White told Time magazine via text: "I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families. Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense."
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told TMZ Hokit’s comments were "not good" and called him an "idiot."
"It took away from the event," the Republican senator said. "It was a fun event. It was to celebrate America’s founding, who we are as a nation…It was sort of a modern-day gladiators fighting hard and shaking each other’s hand and the spirit of sports. That was not the spirit of sports."
New Mexico Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury said in a post on X at the time: "Ok, so let me get this straight…the dude who puked on himself live on tv during his weigh in, is hurling insults at the former First Lady now? Disgusting. Welcome to the Trump Administration."
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also weighed in, writing on X: "Josh Hokit won the biggest fight of his career at the White House and decides to finish his interview by calling Michelle Obama a Man. What a disgrace. It takes a really small man to use his biggest moment to attack a woman by calling her a man. Especially with the history behind calling black women men."
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld defended Hokit, however, dismissing the fighter as a as a "troll" and argued Democrats lacked the credibility to criticize Republicans over inflammatory rhetoric.
Meanwhile, conservative pundit Dan Bongino, who also served as deputy director of the FBI from March 2025 until January told TMZ Hokit’s remark was "funny."
"I think it was, it was probably the most unexpected and unintentionally hilarious moment of the night. The whole place kind of erupted," he said when asked for comment.
6/24/26, 8:18 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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