UFC legend Daniel Cormier has publicly unloaded on heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit, branding his controversial post-fight political stunt as ‘lame’ and ‘disgusting.’
The furious backlash follows a highly controversial scene at UFC Freedom 250, a unique event hosted directly on the White House lawn by President Donald Trump.
Hokit heavily overshadowed his own victory by using his post-match interview with Joe Rogan to hurl a derogatory remark targeting former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Speaking on the South Lawn after winning his fight, Hokit was being interviewed by podcaster Joe Rogan when he said: ‘Shout out to Trump for having the b***s to put this s**t on.
‘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.
‘And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?’ Hokit yelled down the microphone, shocking the audience.
Josh Hokit made the slur at Michelle Obama during his post-fight speech at the White House
UFC legend Daniel Cormier hit back at Hokit following his vile comments inside the octagon
While UFC boss Dana White moved quickly to denounce the remarks in a statement to Time magazine, Cormier used his platform to deliver a far more personal locker-room dressing down.
‘The comments that he made in the Octagon just made no sense,’ Cormier declared on his weekly podcast. ‘It was irresponsible, it was nasty, it was horrible, and it was unnecessary.’
‘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 bluntly.
Cormier expressed frustration that Hokit ruined a massive career milestone, noting the fighter could have walked away with thousands of new fans based on his fight.
Instead, the broadcast was instantly hijacked by unrest, drawing sharp criticism from sports media figures, who questioned why the commentary team didn’t intervene.
‘Michelle Obama is as classy a person as you will ever meet,’ Cormier emphasized during his broadcast. ‘She’s been a person that it should be hard to take shots at.’
‘That’s the type of statement that divides, when in reality, we as a country should be trying to come together,’ the veteran analyst continued. ‘So I absolutely hated that.
‘I get the gimmicks,’ Cormier concluded in his fiery address. ‘But there was no gain in Josh Hokit doing that, and it was disgusting. Get it together, dude.’
UFC boss Dana White with Trump at the event, which also fell on the President’s birthday
The conspiracy theory is typically used by right-wing antagonists against the former first lady
Prominent sports figures like Shannon Sharpe have since publicly urged the former First Lady to pursue legal action against the fighter for defamation.
Hokit has completely refused to walk back the comments or offer an apology.
Instead, Hokit has appeared to double down with a recent post online, after taking to Instagram to reflect on the controversy surrounding his comments.
Alongside a photo of himself, he said: ‘Strong and Courageous. The only two reasons I joined this sport.
‘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.
‘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.’
