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UFC’s Josh Hokit is speaking out after receiving intense backlash over his comments about Michelle Obama.
During the UFC’s White House event, Hokit went viral when he called “Michelle Obama a man” after defeating Derrick Lewis.
“Michelle Obama is a man” shouted on the White House lawn in a ring sponsored by Bud Light only available 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 quickly condemned Hokit’s comments.
“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,” White told TIME.
Hokit spoke to Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani and reacted to the backlash to his comment.
“I thought I was giving her a compliment. I don’t think anyone viewed 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 the times get tough.
“It was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with 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 backtrack from what I say.”
Josh Hokit responds to the backlash surrounding his comments about Michelle Obama at the White House:
“I thought I was giving her a compliment. I don’t think anyone viewed it as Michelle Obama being 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