Hokit Says He Does Not Regret Comment About Michelle Obama

Josh Hokit is not backing away from the racist and transphobic insult he directed at former First Lady Michelle Obama during a UFC event at the White House.

The professional mixed martial artist, who drew widespread backlash after making the remark at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, said this week that he does not regret what he said. During an interview Tuesday on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Hokit claimed the comment was meant as a “compliment” and defended it as an expression of free speech.

After winning his heavyweight bout at the White House South Lawn event, Hokit addressed the crowd and said, “Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?”

The remark quickly spread online and was condemned as racist, sexist and transphobic, particularly because it targeted America’s first Black First Lady, who has long been the subject of racist conspiracy theories and public attacks.

Hokit Claims Insult Was About ‘Freedom Of Speech’

During the podcast interview, host Ariel Helwani pressed Hokit on why he would use one of the biggest moments of his fighting career to insult Obama.

“I thought I was giving her a compliment,” Hokit said. Helwani pushed back, telling him, “I don’t think anyone viewed it as much.”

Hokit continued defending the remark, saying, “Michelle Obama being a man, that’s like, uh, she knows how to deal with adversity, you know, she knows how to work hard like a man.”

Helwani then asked why Obama came to mind after such a major win.

“You just got this massive win,” Helwani said. “Of all of the things you can say, why even go there?”

Hokit responded by framing the insult as a political statement.

“I thought it was a perfect opportunity to, you know, show the world how great this country is with, uh, with the freedom of speech,” he said. “In other parts of the world, you say something like that, you’re not here to speak.”

Asked directly whether he regretted the comment, Hokit said, “Oh, never. That’s one thing about my career…you’ll never see me backtrack from what I say.”

Daniel Cormier And Cam Newton Condemn The Remark

Hokit’s refusal to apologize has only added to the criticism.

Fellow mixed martial arts fighter Daniel Cormier, who is Black, sharply condemned the comment and said it had no place at the event.

“It was irresponsible. It was nasty. It was horrible. It was unnecessary…It’s lame as f–k,” Cormier said. Cormier also defended Michelle Obama, calling her “the classiest person you will ever meet” and saying she has represented herself, her family and the country “with grace.”

He added that Hokit’s comment was the kind of statement that divides people at a time when the country should be trying to come together.

Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton also weighed in, calling Hokit’s comment “tasteless” and making clear that the Obama family remains deeply respected in many Black communities.

“In our culture, we don’t play about certain individuals,” Newton said. “Certain people are untouchable.”

Newton said that includes Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama, their daughters and even the family’s dogs.

“They’re some good people, they served this country well and they’re innocent bystanders,” Newton said.

Then, speaking directly to Hokit, Newton added, “You could have said any Michelle. But Josh, we don’t play about that one.”

Michelle Obama Remains A Frequent Target Of Racist Attacks

The backlash surrounding Hokit’s comment reflects a larger pattern of public attacks against Michelle Obama, who has faced years of racist, sexist and conspiracy-driven insults since her time in the White House.

Hokit, however, appears unmoved by the criticism. Instead of apologizing, he has doubled down, turning a personal insult into what he describes as a free speech issue.

But for critics, the issue is not whether Hokit was allowed to speak. It is why, after a career-defining win, he chose to use the moment to target a Black woman who was not involved in the event at all.

As Newton put it, some people are simply not the ones to play with.

And for many, Michelle Obama remains one of them.