UFC CEO Dana White responded to Josh Hokit’s remarks about Michelle Obama during his post-fight speech on the South Lawn of the White House.
The moment that is generating ample criticism from the event is Hokit’s transphobic remark after his win, “Lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
White sent a response to TIME Magazine’s Sean Gregory (who recently wrote a cover story on the UFC CEO) and said, “I understand that the Obama’s 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”.
It’s not the first time Hokit has used transphobic comments during post-fight speeches, as he referred to WNBA star Brittney Griner as “a man” at UFC 324. White also pushed back on that comment, noting at the time, “I heard about it. I didn’t see it. I don’t love it” at that evening’s press conference.
Hokit did attend the post-fight press conference, but neither he nor Dana White was asked about the comment about Obama.
