Josh Hokit reacts to mainstream backlash after controversial comment at UFC Freedom 250
UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit now refuses to apologize for claiming Michelle Obama is a man. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, he framed the remark as a compliment and a statement on American free speech. He says he has no regrets regarding the comment.
What changed
Hokit has reversed his previous apology and is now defending his remarks.
Live updates
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Josh Hokit defends Michelle Obama comments despite initial apology
confidence 100%UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit now refuses to apologize for claiming Michelle Obama is a man. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, he framed the remark as a compliment and a statement on American free speech. He says he has no regrets regarding the comment.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit told The Ariel Helwani Show he has no regrets about his comments.
- Hokit described his remark as a statement on free speech in America.
- The fighter refuses to backtrack or apologize for the comment.
- Hokit claimed the comment was meant as a compliment.
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Josh Hokit apologizes following Michelle Obama comments
confidence 90%Heavyweight Josh Hokit issued a social media apology after claiming Michelle Obama is a man during his UFC Freedom 250 victory speech. The event took place on the White House South Lawn. UFC CEO Dana White called the incident disgusting.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit posted a social media apology for his comments about Michelle Obama.
- The UFC Freedom 250 event was hosted by President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House.
- Dana White described the incident as disgusting.
Still unconfirmed:
- Michelle Obama has made a decision regarding a potential lawsuit against Josh Hokit.
- Josh Hokit provided an explanation for his comments.
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Dana White Condemns Josh Hokit's Michelle Obama Remark
confidence 100%Heavyweight Josh Hokit faced widespread criticism after claiming Michelle Obama is a man during his UFC Freedom 250 victory speech. UFC CEO Dana White described the comments as stupid and disgusting. Critics labeled the remark as a racist and sexist attack.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit claimed Michelle Obama is a man during his victory speech at UFC Freedom 250.
- UFC CEO Dana White called Hokit's remarks "disgusting" and "stupid."
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UFC Officials and Public Figures Condemn Josh Hokit's Remarks
confidence 100%UFC President Dana White and other public figures have criticized heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit for comments about Michelle Obama. The remarks followed Hokit's victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event. The backlash includes condemnation from political and sports figures.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit is 28 years old.
- Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis by second-round knockout at UFC Freedom 250.
- UFC Freedom 250 took place at the White House on Sunday, June 14.
- Dana White spoke out against Hokit's false statements regarding Michelle Obama.
- Hokit is a UFC heavyweight fighter.
Still unconfirmed:
- Shane Gillis stated he did not like the comment.
- Daniel Cormier blasted Hokit's behavior.
- Lindsey Graham called out Hokit.
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Josh Hokit maintains stance after Michelle Obama comments
confidence 90%UFC fighter Josh Hokit sparked outrage by calling Michelle Obama a "man" during a post-fight interview. The incident occurred at the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House. Hokit is reportedly not backing down from his remarks.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit called Michelle Obama a "man" during a post-fight interview at UFC Freedom 250.
- The UFC Freedom 250 event took place at the White House.
Still unconfirmed:
- Josh Hokit is not backing down from his controversial comments.
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Josh Hokit sparks backlash with Michelle Obama comment at UFC Freedom 250
confidence 50%UFC fighter Josh Hokit faced widespread criticism after calling Michelle Obama 'a man' during a post-fight interview at UFC Freedom 250. The event took place on the White House lawn, and Hokit's comment overshadowed his victory. The backlash includes condemnation from public figures and media outlets.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit called Michelle Obama 'a man' after winning at UFC Freedom 250.
- The event took place on the White House lawn.
- Dana White dismissed Hokit's comment as nonsense.
- Josh Hokit refused to apologize for his comment.
- Sheryl Crow criticized the Trump administration for staging the UFC fight at the White House.
- Nicolle Wallace expressed disappointment in sponsors' silence following Hokit's comment.
- Israel Adesanya questioned Hokit's actions, saying he was trying to draw attention to himself.
- Josh Hokit called himself 'courageous' after making the comment.
Still unconfirmed:
- The White House has not responded to Hokit's comment.
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Josh Hokit defends controversial Michelle Obama remark amid backlash
confidence 93%UFC fighter Josh Hokit doubled down on his post-fight claim that Michelle Obama is a man after winning at UFC Freedom 250, sparking widespread criticism. Dana White dismissed the comment as nonsense, while Hokit refused to apologize. The White House has not responded. Backlash includes condemnation from public figures and media outlets.
What's confirmed:
- Josh Hokit made the comment 'Michelle Obama is a man' during a post-fight interview at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026, after defeating Derrick Lewis.
- Hokit has refused to apologize for the remark, stating he stands by his words amid backlash.
- Dana White, UFC president, called Hokit’s comment 'nonsense' and has not supported it.
- The White House has not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
- Hokit returned to social media days after the controversy to address the backlash.
- The remark was widely condemned by media outlets, including Forbes, Yahoo Sports, and USA Today.
Still unconfirmed:
- A post on Daniel Cormier’s X account allegedly showed AI-generated texts from Eric Trump, though this claim has not been verified.