UFC heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit sparked controversy following his post-fight remarks at the UFC White House event on Sunday, which was held on the South Lawn to mark America’s 250th birthday. After securing a TKO victory over Derrick Lewis, Hokit praised President Donald Trump for hosting the event but then made a disparaging comment about former first lady Michelle Obama, saying, “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

The remark drew immediate attention and mixed reactions. Some in the audience reportedly laughed, while critics condemned the statement as rooted in a baseless conspiracy theory often circulated in far-right circles. The comment was made during a post-fight interview conducted by podcaster Joe Rogan, who did not address or challenge Hokit’s statement at the time.

The controversy comes amid a history of racist and derogatory attacks aimed at the Obamas. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have been frequent targets of such insults, including a widely criticized video shared by Trump in the past, which depicted the couple in a racially offensive manner. That video was removed after public backlash, but the White House defended its initial posting.

Several public figures spoke out against Hokit’s remarks. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III described the comment as “a disgrace,” emphasizing the painful history of black women being dehumanized by being called men. Democratic Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury called the remark “disgusting.” Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and known for his controversial commentary, acknowledged the insult was inappropriate and argued that President Trump should have publicly condemned it, especially given the event’s high-profile setting.

UFC CEO Dana White expressed personal disapproval of Hokit’s comment in an interview with Time magazine, stating his opposition to “nasty and false things about people’s families,” although he stopped short of a formal condemnation. White reiterated his commitment to free speech but made clear he did not support the nature of the remarks.

A White House spokesperson, Steven Cheung, declined to directly address the controversy and instead praised Hokit's performance during the fight, highlighting his skill and potential to improve his standing in the heavyweight rankings.

Meanwhile, some Republican figures defended Hokit’s comment. Representative Brandon Hill referred to the remark as “hilarious,” while Dan Bongino, former deputy director of the FBI under Trump, dismissed the backlash as "pearl clutching."

Representatives for the Obamas, the UFC organization, and event sponsors did not immediately provide comments on the incident. The episode underscores ongoing tensions surrounding political discourse and public figures at highly visible events.