In a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, UFC fighter Josh Hokit ended his remarks by insulting Michelle Obama. “Michelle Obama is a man, am I right America?” Hokit said to the crowd gathered Sunday on the White House lawn for UFC Freedom 250, the first professional sporting event to ever be held at the presidential residence. The remark, which followed Hokit’s victory over Derrick Lewis, received a mixed response during the fan event, prompting boos but also eliciting some laughter and cheers. After winning the heavyweight bout, Hokit approached Trump’s seat and presented him with a chain. Rogan did not address Hokit’s insult in the moment or during the rest of the broadcast, instead concluding the interview with, “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit.” UFC president and CEO Dana White condemned Hokit’s quip on Monday morning. “I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White told TIME’s Sean Gregory in a text message. “Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense.” The controversial remark has drawn backlash on social media. “Josh Hokit won the biggest fight of his career at the White House and decides to finish his interview by calling Michelle Obama a Man. What a disgrace,” former NFL star Robert Griffin III wrote in a Monday X post. “It takes a really small man to use his biggest moment to attack a woman by calling her a man. Especially with the history behind calling black women men.” This isn’t the first time Hokit has made disaparaging remarks toward Michelle Obama. After beating Eric Lunsford in May 2025, before he signed a contract with the UFC, Hokit ended his interview with the same line. Right-wing media outlets have often directed the gendered insult against the former first lady, too. Hokit also called 10-time All-Star Brittney Griner “a man” during a post-fight speech in January 2026. While White said at the time that he “didn’t love” Hokit’s statements on Griner, Hokit was not officially disciplined by the UFC for his comment. Known for his provacative persona, Hokit’s controversial reputation followed him to UFC Freedom 250’s weigh-in the day before, where he pretended to vomit. “So what, maybe I was drinking last night,” he said. “Who wouldn’t be? I have a giant Black man that wants to knock me out. He has the most knockouts in UFC history.” Representatives for Michelle Obama and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ...read more read less