Josh Hokit Breaks Silence on Michelle Obama Controversy at UFC Freedom 250
UFC fighter Josh Hokit made his first public statement since his controversial moment at UFC Freedom 250 on Saturday, June 13, when he called former first lady Michelle Obama "a man" during a post-fight interview.
"Strong and Courageous‼️," Hokit, 28, wrote via Instagram on Monday, June 15. The caption came alongside a photo of the heavyweight fighter sitting down, appearing to be in thought.
"The only two reasons I joined this sport," he continued. "If you exercise those every single day and back them up with hard work, the money and success will follow. I'm not here to be liked. I'm not here to be a role model. I don't care. I'm here to succeed. I'll do whatever it takes to get where I want to go, and if you don't like it… Come beat me in a fight. 🇺🇸👊 #ufc."
Hokit's controversial moment came moments after he defeated Derrick Lewis by TKO at UFC Freedom 250, staged on the White House South Lawn in honor of the United States' 250th birthday.
"Michelle Obama is a man," Hokit told interviewer Joe Rogan. "Am I right, America?"
Despite the public outcry over the comment, the White House didn't denounce him when given a chance by CNN's Jake Tapper on Monday, June 15.
"He had a great win last night," White House spokesman Steven Cheung told him. "He showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground."
Us Weekly has reached out to both the White House and Obama's representatives for comment.
UFC CEO Dana White, who was at the event, spoke out against Hokit's remarks in a text message to Time magazine on Monday.
"I understand that the Obama's [sic] are public figures but I'm completely against saying nasty and false things about people's families," White, 56, said. "Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense."
Other celebrities have also come forward, including Rosie O'Donnell, a longtime rival of President Donald Trump. Trump, 80, and White spearheaded the event and Trump was in the audience as a spectator.
"It was disgraceful and embarrassing, and he should be ashamed of himself for doing it," O'Donnell, 64, told TMZ of UFC Freedom 250.
Asked if she heard what Hokit said, she replied, "Yes, and that's exactly what Trump is and that's exactly what his fans are - racist, homophobic, un-American."
The View's Sunny Hostin added that she believes it is important to call out Hokit because of the stereotype around Black women that she said he is perpetuating.
"Black women have been slurred and made to feel that they were unattractive, made to feel masculine, made to feel that they didn't have the femininity that a white woman would have," she explained during Monday's episode. "The crowd laughed at the statement and the president of the United States smirked and never addressed what was said. That is beneath the dignity of the office of the president of the United States and it's beneath the dignity of the American people."
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 8:04 AM.