Dana White blasts Josh Hokit over Michelle Obama insult at White House
The UFC boss said Hokit's post-fight remark was “gross” and stressed it did not reflect the promotion or other fighters.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Dana White has publicly condemned UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit after Hokit used his victory interview at the White House to insult former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Speaking on Ryan Clark’s “The Pivot” podcast, the UFC president and CEO called the moment “gross” and “inappropriate,” saying Hokit’s comments did not represent the UFC, White himself or the other fighters on the card.
The incident came after Hokit stopped Derrick Lewis by second-round TKO at UFC Freedom 250, a June event staged at the White House. CBS Sports reported that Hokit, wearing an American flag bandana, took the microphone after the fight and yelled that Michelle Obama “is a man,” then asked the crowd if he was right.
White said on the podcast that public figures often face harsh comments, but he drew a line at the way Obama was targeted, noting her roles as a former First Lady, wife and mother.
“It’s f---ing gross, right?” White told Clark. “It’s inappropriate, the timing of it and everything.”
White also said the remark undercut what he viewed as an otherwise successful night for the promotion. He described UFC Freedom 250 as a celebration meant for Americans across the political spectrum, rather than a partisan event.
According to CBS Sports, the card was billed as a celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday and was held on the same day as President Trump’s 80th birthday. White said before the event that it was intended for Americans “far left,” “far right” and “right down the middle.”
Hokit was not part of the original UFC Freedom 250 lineup, CBS Sports reported. His bout with Lewis was added late after Trump specifically asked for Lewis to appear on the card.
White said the promotion did not share Hokit’s view and called the episode “a really unfortunate thing to happen that night.” He said the event had otherwise gone exactly the way UFC wanted before the post-fight comments created an ugly finish to the moment.
“It’s not the opinion of the UFC,” White said. “It’s not my opinion or anybody else who fought on that card.”
CBS Sports did not report a response from Hokit to White’s criticism.
UFC Freedom 250 also delivered record viewership for Paramount+ in the United States and Latin America, according to CBS Sports, more than doubling the previous mark set by UFC 324.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.