Dana White Responds to UFC Fighter Josh Hokit Calling Michelle Obama ‘A Man’ at White House Event
UFC CEO Dana White responded after fighter Josh Hokit received major backlash for calling former first lady Michelle Obama “a man” during his post-fight interview at UFC Freedom 250.
“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 in a text message to Time magazine on Monday, June 15. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Hokit, 28, made the incendiary comment after defeating Derrick Lewis at the event on Sunday, June 14, which was held at the White House.
The White House did not respond to Time’s request for comment about Hokit’s remarks.
Original story below:
UFC fighter Josh Hokit made a controversial comment about former first lady Michelle Obama after his victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
“Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” Hokit, 28, shockingly declared on Sunday, June 14, in a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan after defeating fellow heavyweight Derrick Lewis.
Us Weekly has reached out to Obama’s representatives for comment.
Sunday’s event to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. took place on the front lawn of the White House. President Donald Trump was among the spectators in attendance.
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The fight card was met with some controversy in the weeks before Sunday’s event.
UFC commentator and podcaster Rogan, 58, previously said of the event: “The White House thing is odd. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all,” he said during a May episode of his “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, citing concerns about the weather.
“I just don’t think you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment. It should be inside an air-conditioned arena,” Rogan said. “You wouldn’t ask them to play a world championship basketball game outside in the sun. That would be crazy, right? You play in a f***ing air-conditioned arena, and that’s how it should be.”