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UFC’s Josh Hokit is speaking out after receiving intense backlash over his comments about Michelle Obama.
At the UFC White House event, Hokit went viral when he called “Michelle Obama a man” after beating Derrick Lewis.
“Michelle Obama is a man,” she shouted on the White House lawn in a ring sponsored by Bud Light, available only on Larry Ellison’s Paramount Plus. What a way to celebrate America 250 and the twilight of liberal democracy. pic.twitter.com/MCTjdB3slg
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) June 15, 2026
UFC CEO Dana White was quick to condemn Hokit’s comments.
“I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I am 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,” White told TIME.
Hokit spoke with Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani and responded to the backlash to his comment.
“I thought I was paying her a compliment. I don’t think anyone has seen Michelle Obama as a man. It’s more like she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to work hard like a man when times get tough.”
“It was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is in terms of freedom of speech… In other parts of the world you say something like that and you die.”
“That’s one thing about my career… You’ll never hear me go back on what I say.”
Josh Hokit responds to the backlash surrounding his comments about Michelle Obama in the White House:
“I thought I was giving her a compliment. I don’t think anyone saw it as Michelle Obama as a man. It’s more like she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to… pic.twitter.com/N6RzeoWt2i
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 23, 2026
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