UFC fighter addresses calling Michelle Obama ‘a man’ at White House event for first time
Earlier this month, the White House hosted the UFC Freedom 250 with seven fights on the South Lawn.
The big event was of course when Justin Gaethje claimed the undisputed lightweight title as he beat Ilia Topuria. But there was a large number of viral moments spawned from the night elsewhere, including Tyson Fury’s presence and controversial claims.
Plus, there was the moment Josh Hokit called Michelle Obama ‘a man’.
The American mixed martial artist defeated Derrick Lewis and made the odd defamatory remark about the former first lady during his post-fight comments – drawing more attention than the bout itself.
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And he’s now addressed the moment which saw him praising Donald Trump for hosting the event before saying: “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
Hokit was appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show when he claimed what he meant by the controversial statement as he said he ‘thought’ he was giving Obama ‘a compliment’.
“I don’t think anyone viewed it as Michelle Obama being a man,” the fighter claimed.
“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.”
UFC President Dana White seemed unimpressed with the defamatory comment as well as he told TIME in a text message: “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.”
But Hokit has claimed he was simply just exercising his First Amendment rights at the event.
"It was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with the freedom of speech,” the American added. “In other parts of the world, you say something like that, you’re not here speaking to Ariel Helwani.”
During the event Trump didn’t comment on the remark Hokit made, but viewers claimed to spot a brief wry smile from the US president.
Meanwhile, he left Joe Rogan shocked with his own remarks.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, he says he shared fears about the event being targeted by terrorists with the president.
"I said to Trump, I go, 'I hope we don't die in a terrorist attack,'" Rogan said, before revealing Trump's blunt joke in response: "He goes, 'We got to go somehow'."
The remark from the 'Leader of the Free World' caught Rogan flat-footed.
"I go, 'what the f**k, dude?'" he said, while laughing.
Topics: UFC, Donald Trump
Jess Battison