UFC legend Daniel Cormier branded heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit’s post-fight White House stunt at UFC Freedom 250 as “lame” and “disgusting” after Hokit used a derogatory slur aimed at former First Lady Michelle Obama during his interview with Joe Rogan on t
The scene on the White House lawn lasted only as long as the interview—and then it was hijacked by what Josh Hokit chose to say.
At UFC Freedom 250, hosted directly on the South Lawn by President Donald Trump, Hokit won his fight. Immediately after, he sat down with podcaster Joe Rogan for a post-fight interview when Hokit began delivering a rambling, profanity-laced political jab.
He told the broadcast: “Shout out to Trump for having the b***s to put this s**t on.” He then turned to shouting about his faith and his next target: “If I’m going to say anything. there’s only one more person more incredible than the Incredible Hulk. and that’s my lord and savior. Jesus Christ. Now listen, Alex Pereira, I want to chama [sic] on your mama.”.
Then came the line that shocked the audience and triggered the immediate backlash: “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?’”
Daniel Cormier didn’t soften his reaction when he took to his weekly podcast.
“The comments that he made in the Octagon just made no sense,” Cormier said. “It was irresponsible, it was nasty, it was horrible, and it was unnecessary.”
Cormier zeroed in on the way Hokit used the post-fight moment. “He started his post-fight interview… and he was going to do one of these gimmicky things that, honestly, I think it’s lame,” the former double-champion added.
For Cormier, the most painful part wasn’t just what was said—it was the timing. He argued Hokit had an opening to win over thousands of potential new fans with a career milestone, only for the broadcast to be dragged into unrest instead.
“The comments ruined what was a massive career milestone for him,” Cormier said, before turning to the target of the remarks. “Michelle Obama is as classy a person as you will ever meet. She’s been a person that it should be hard to take shots at.”
He continued by framing it as division instead of unity. “That’s the type of statement that divides, when in reality, we as a country should be trying to come together. So I absolutely hated that.”
Cormier said he understands the appetite for hype, but insisted this crossed a line with no payoff.
“I get the gimmicks,” he concluded. “But there was no gain in Josh Hokit doing that, and it was disgusting. Get it together, dude.”
His comments landed after Dana White, the UFC’s boss, denounced Hokit’s remarks in a statement to Time magazine.
The fallout spread beyond the sport. Prominent figures like Shannon Sharpe urged Michelle Obama to pursue legal action against Hokit for defamation, and the controversy also drew fresh scrutiny of how the broadcast handled the moment—especially when the uproar began immediately after the slur.
Hokit has not walked anything back. He refused to apologize and instead appeared to double down, posting on Instagram to reflect on the storm around his remarks.
Alongside a photo of himself, he wrote: “Strong and Courageous. The only two reasons I joined this sport.” He added: “If you exercise those every single day and back them up with hard work, the money and success will follow. I’m not here to be liked. I’m not here to be a role model.”
He finished with a blunt message to those criticizing him: “I don’t care. I’m here to succeed. I’ll do whatever it takes to get where I want to go, and if you don’t like it… Come beat me in a fight.”
UFC Freedom 250 Josh Hokit Daniel Cormier Joe Rogan Michelle Obama Donald Trump White House lawn Dana White Shannon Sharpe heavyweight prospect
That was just straight disgusting, like why would he say anything about Michelle Obama at all?
Wait so he was on the White House lawn and then said Michelle Obama is a man?? I feel like people only do this stuff for clout and it’s gross. Also Trump hosting and it’s like… come on man.
I don’t even really watch UFC but this sounds blown up. If he said something offensive, sure whatever, but are we pretending UFC interviews aren’t always chaotic? Cormier calling it lame is rich too like he ever says classy stuff after fights lol.
Why is everyone acting like this is the biggest issue when the whole thing was literally on the South Lawn? Like I saw a clip where he’s talking about Jesus and then out of nowhere politics? I’m confused like, did he mean Alex Pereira or “chama on your mama” or was that the slur part? Either way I guess Cormier’s right it’s irresponsible, but also Joe Rogan shoulda stopped him sooner.