Josh Hokit says calling Michelle Obama a man at UFC Freedom 250 was meant as a compliment.
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit competed at the historic UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14. He defeated veteran Derrick Lewis via TKO in the second round. However, what he said during the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan got him a lot of heat.
Josh Hokit made a controversial remark about former First Lady Michelle Obama, calling her a man. “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” he asked. He received immense backlash on social and mainstream media, and WWE’s Titus O’Neil also blasted him over the comment.
UFC President Dana White also issued the following statement to TIME. “I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families. Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Now, he has an interesting explanation about why he made those comments.
Josh Hokit explains his comments about Michelle Obama
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, Josh Hokit justified his remark about Michelle Obama, claiming he meant it as a compliment to her strength and resilience. However, he framed hard work as a uniquely male trait in the process.
Hokit then noted he made those comments to show the level of freedom of speech in America, arguing that saying such things in other parts of the world will get one killed. He also didn’t express any regret over his remarks, saying he never backs down from his words.
“I thought I was giving her a compliment. Michelle Obama, being a man, that’s like she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to work hard like a man. You know, when the times get tough, the tough keep going,” Josh Hokit said.
When Helwani asked him why he chose to say that when he could’ve just focused on his victory, Josh Hokit said, “I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech. You go somewhere, and you say something like that, you die. I’m not suicidal, by the way, I’m in good spirits. I’m a little under the weather right now, but other than that, I’m good.
“In other parts of the world, you say something like that, and you’re not here to speak to Arien Helwani. Yeah, I don’t know, there’s a few ways, there’s a few answers to that, and there’s a certain side that pokes at another side, and there’s no outrage there, and so I thought that was a perfect time to take a jab,” Hokit continued.
When asked if he regrets saying it, Hokit said, “Oh, never. That’s one thing about my career…. You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say.
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