UFC fighter Josh Hokit used his post-bout interview Sunday night at the White House to disparage former first lady Michelle Obama.
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In a post-fight interview, the heavyweight fighter praised President Donald Trump for hosting the event, which was intended to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
He then insulted the mother of one of his rivals, thanked Jesus and ended by shouting: “And lastly — Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?”
Some in the audience laughed at Hokit’s remark, which is rooted in a baseless far-right conspiracy theory. Right-wing podcaster Joe Rogan, who was conducting the post-fight interview, did not follow up with Hokit on the comment.
Former president Barack Obama and his wife have frequently been the targets of racist insults. Trump once shared a video clip on his Truth Social account that depicted the Obamas as apes. The video was deleted after Trump received blowback, but not before the White House defended it.
Robert Griffin III, a former NFL quarterback and a UFC fan who posted his reactions to the fights Sunday, slammed Hokit’s postgame interview.
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“What a disgrace. 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,” Griffin wrote on X.
UFC CEO Dana White later told Time magazine that he disliked Hokit’s comment but stopped short of condemning it.
“I understand that the Obama’s are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White told the magazine in a text message. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Representatives for Obama, the White House and the UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Dan Merica contributed to this report.
