UFC CEO and President Dana White has publicly condemned fighter Josh Hokit for making a false and offensive statement about former First Lady Michelle Obama during a post-fight interview at the White House after he successfully TKO’d heavyweight Derrick Lewis.
Hokit secured a victory in his heavyweight bout on Sunday, showcasing his superior handspeed, footwork, and grappling against Derrick Lewis (via UFC on Paramount+):
TALKS THE TALK & BACKS IT UP 💪
Josh Hokit moves to 10-0 in the Octagon!
[ #UFCWhiteHouse | LIVE NOW ON @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/1ZWQ4MetKI— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) June 15, 2026
After the fight, he used his moment on the microphone to shout, “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
While the official UFC YouTube channel edited that last part out, the UFC India YouTube channel left it in:
The remark, which references a debunked conspiracy theory, drew a mixture of cheers and boos from the crowd present on the South Lawn.
Criticism from Dana White
White, who was seated next to President Donald Trump during the event, responded swiftly to the controversy via a text message to Time magazine on Monday.
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images
“I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White stated.
He further clarified his stance by adding, “Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Despite White’s condemnation, the UFC has not confirmed whether or not any disciplinary action has been taken against Hokit for his remarks.
Other Comments
In contrast to White’s swift rebuke, the White House has declined to comment on the incident.
When pressed by CNN’s Jake Tapper, White House communications director Steven Cheung sidestepped the controversy, instead praising Hokit’s athletic performance.
Scott Taetsch/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“He had a great win last night,” Cheung stated. “He showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground.”
The White House has not responded to further inquiries regarding the refusal to denounce the attack while defending First Lady Melania Trump from similar insults.
The incident has sparked dismay, even among some supporters of the president who had defended the “UFC Freedom 250” event as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Critics argue that the spectacle and subsequent remarks have tarnished the image of the event.
Fox News columnist David Marcus wrote on X, “The fighter yelling ‘Michelle Obama is a man,’ at an official White House event to honor America is utterly unacceptable and the administration should [denounce] it in no uncertain terms.”
In addition, Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy commented on the situation on an episode of “Wake Up Barstool” on YouTube:
“There was one moment I do think Trump has to denounce, and anybody associated with it has to denounce, and that’s that crazy fighter guy,” Portnoy stated, referencing Hokit.
“When you have that on the White House lawn on an event you put on, I don’t care what you think about the Obamas or anything, that has to be an immediate denounce,” Portnoy stated.
“I have no problem with the event,” he continued. “I guess you run that risk because these guys are lunatics. But that was the only thing, Trump should denounce it.”
Hokit’s Notorious Reputation
Hokit has grown a divisive following, as some fans find his persona hilarious while others find it immature and unfunny.
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC-GettyImages
At the weigh-ins leading up to UFC Freedom 250, just days before his fight with Derrick Lewis, Hokit was lambasted online for pretending to be drunk and vomiting on himself.
He has also previously annoyed fellow UFC fighters, hitting former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka with a toy lightsaber.
No matter one’s stance on Hokit, it’s hard to deny the momentum he has in the heavyweight division, knocking out the UFC’s all-time KO leader. He may be one or two wins away from a title shot, or one step closer to his desired fight against Alex Pereira.