UFC president Dana White and comedian Shane Gillis weren’t fans of MMA fighter Josh Hokit’s offensive remark about Michelle Obama during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn on Sunday (June 14).
Following his victory over Derrick Lewis as part of the fourth fight of the night, Hokit spoke directly with UFC host Joe Rogan for a post-fight interview. “Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put on some shit like this,” said Hokit, who also used the opportunity to make a crude comment about Alex Pereira’s mother. “Lastly… Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
Rogan did not comment on the crude remark, a common smear against the former first lady perpetuated among the far-right, but UFC president Dana White did in a statement shared with Time Magazine.
“I understand that the Obama’s are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” said White, who previously said he’s not a fan of Hokit but added him to the Freedom 250 fight after Donald Trump expressed appreciation for Derrick Lewis, who needed an opponent. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Shane Gillis, who attended the fight, was asked about the moment by TMZ. “I didn’t love that,” he said. When asked why, he responded, “Why do you think? I don’t like that shit.”
In an interview on the podcast Undefeated & Undisputed earlier this year, Hokit said he walked past an ambulance post-fight and was told by matchmaker Mick Maynard that he was now “Trump’s new favorite fighter.”
Hokit has earned a reputation as a heel in the UFC and has made multiple racist and transphobic remarks. While he’s suggested that he’s putting on an act, in a sort of WWE heel performance, his trash talk has garnered criticism from fellow fighters, including Ilia Topuria, Max Holloway, and Sean Strickland.
