NEW YORK – Josh Hokit opened his UFC 334 media day session with a roughly 5-minute "roast" that included a joke about Kayla Harrison having a penis. So if you're expecting him to feel bad about his Michelle Obama diss from five months ago, think again.
Hokit, notorious for making bigoted remarks in his first year with the UFC, reached a new low for many when he declared "Michelle Obama is a man." The remark came at the end of Hokit's post-fight interview with Joe Rogan following his UFC Freedom 250 win over Derrick Lewis. Hokit's comment at face value was enough to draw criticism, but it especially caused mainstream media outrage given he said it on the South Lawn of the White House, where the former First Lady used to reside.
On Wednesday, Hokit
was asked if he regretted calling Michelle Obama a man. He was defiant in response.
"At the end of the day, my name's going to live on forever," Hokit said. "Media people, whatever, you could not like it. It is what it is. I'm here to be remembered. And if I've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette, then f*ck it. If I've got to burn the bridge to light the way, f*ck it. I'm here to take what's mine. And if I've got to rub some people the wrong way, if I've got to say some sh*t in the wrong location, it is what it is.
"Was it not a good location to say it? I mean, we're at the White House. That house represents freedom of speech. I think that was a perfect location to say it."
Hokit, who earned a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series in August 2025, has experienced a meteoric rise to his first UFC title shot, in part because of his schtick but also his performances in the octagon. He beat perennial heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes in a Fight of the Year candidate this past April then followed up with a second-round TKO of former title challenger Lewis at UFC Freedom 250.
On Saturday, Hokit (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on champion Ciryl Gane (14-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) for the heavyweight title in the UFC 334 main event at Madison Square Garden.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Josh Hokit: White House was 'perfect location' for derogatory Michelle Obama comment
