Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleUFC fighter Josh Hokit sparked controversy after his victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14 by publicly stating, "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right America?" Hokit faced widespread criticism for the remark, with UFC president Dana White condemning it as "nasty and false.”In an interview with sports journalist Ariel Helwani, Hokit attempted to defend his outburst, stating, “I thought I was giving her a compliment,” to which Helwani replied: “I don’t think anyone viewed it as such.”Hokit further justified his statement by asserting it was a demonstration of "freedom of speech," arguing that such comments would lead to death in other countries. Trump, who was present at the event, did not comment on Hokit's remarks but reportedly displayed a half-smile after the fighter's statement. In fullUFC fighter who called Michelle Obama a man claims he was ‘giving her a compliment’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in