While the product in the octagon was exceptional on Sunday night, the UFC Freedom 250 event made headlines for the wrong reason.
After defeating Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight bout, Josh Hokit decided to take a shot at Michelle Obama during his in-ring interview with Joe Rogan. It was arguably one of the most embarrassing post-match statements ever made by an athlete.
“Lastly, Michelle Obama is a man,” Hokit said. “Am I right, America?”
Hokit has received a ton of backlash for his comment about Obama. Some people are even calling for the UFC to fire him this Monday.
© Amber Searls-Imagn Images.
"That has to be an immediate denounce," Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said. "These guys are lunatics."
"To stand up there and disrespect Barack and Michelle Obama, the UFC should suspend Josh Hokit," one fan commented.
"Dana White should cut all ties with that individual," another fan wrote.
"They really let a UFC fighter call our only Black First Lady a man on the White House lawn at an official White House event … while thousands cheered and the biggest podcaster in the world smiled," Congressman Christian D. Menefee said. "There is no economic policy fix for this. Many of these people are just racist."
The pressure is on Dana White.
UFC president Dana White has already condemned Hokit's remarks, but fans will most likely want him to take action.
“I understand that the Obama’s are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White said. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Hokit has a 10-0 record in MMA that dates back to October 2023. Is the UFC willing to move on from him? Only time will tell.
