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\n Related: <\/span>Josh Hokit Breaks Silence on Michelle Obama Controversy at UFC Freedom 250<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tUFC fighter Josh Hokit made his first public statement since his controversial moment at UFC Freedom 250 on Saturday, June 13, when he called former first lady Michelle Obama \u201ca man\u201d during a post-fight interview. \u201cStrong and Courageous\u203c\ufe0f,\u201d Hokit, 28, wrote via Instagram on Monday, June 15. The caption came alongside a photo of the [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Hokit received backlash<\/a> for the comment but argued on Tuesday that it was meant to be endearing.<\/p>\n\u201cMichelle Obama being a man. It\u2019s like, she knows how to deal with adversity,\u201d he said. \u201cShe knows how to work hard like a man when the times get tough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helwani, 43, then asked Hokit why the thought popped into his mind during his interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech,\u201d he explained to Helwani. \u201cYou go somewhere [else in the world] and you say something like that and you die. And I\u2019m not suicidal by the way. I\u2019m in good spirits. I\u2019m a little under the weather right now but other than that, I\u2019m good. And so in other parts of the world, you say something like that and you\u2019re not here to speak to Ariel Helwani, you know. So yeah, I don\u2019t know; there are a few ways. There\u2019s a few answers to that. There\u2019s a certain side that pokes at another side and there\u2019s no outrage there and so I thought it was a perfect time to take a jab.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if he regretted the comment about Obama, Hokit stood 10 toes down.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s one thing about my career. \u2026 You\u2019ll never hear me backtrack from what I say.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Hokit\u2019s remarks got the attention of the American people, the White House responded to the controversy<\/a>. Spokesman Steven Cheung called Hokit\u2019s match a \u201cgreat win\u201d and applauded his performance.<\/p>\n\u201cHe showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground,\u201d Cheung told celebrity.land\u2019s Jake Tapper<\/strong> in June.<\/p>\n\n\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/themes\/us-weekly\/assets\/img\/newsletter-bg-narrow.jpg\")
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\u201cMichelle Obama being a man. It\u2019s like, she knows how to deal with adversity,\u201d he said. \u201cShe knows how to work hard like a man when the times get tough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helwani, 43, then asked Hokit why the thought popped into his mind during his interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech,\u201d he explained to Helwani. \u201cYou go somewhere [else in the world] and you say something like that and you die. And I\u2019m not suicidal by the way. I\u2019m in good spirits. I\u2019m a little under the weather right now but other than that, I\u2019m good. And so in other parts of the world, you say something like that and you\u2019re not here to speak to Ariel Helwani, you know. So yeah, I don\u2019t know; there are a few ways. There\u2019s a few answers to that. There\u2019s a certain side that pokes at another side and there\u2019s no outrage there and so I thought it was a perfect time to take a jab.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if he regretted the comment about Obama, Hokit stood 10 toes down.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s one thing about my career. \u2026 You\u2019ll never hear me backtrack from what I say.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Hokit\u2019s remarks got the attention of the American people, the White House responded to the controversy<\/a>. Spokesman Steven Cheung called Hokit\u2019s match a \u201cgreat win\u201d and applauded his performance.<\/p>\n \u201cHe showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground,\u201d Cheung told celebrity.land\u2019s Jake Tapper<\/strong> in June.<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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