Josh Hokit disparages Michelle Obama at UFC White House event - ESPN

WASHINGTON — After winning the biggest fight of his career Sunday night on the South Lawn of the White House, UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit targeted an unexpected person in his postfight interview: former first lady Michelle Obama.

«Michelle Obama is a man,» Hokit said. «Am I right, America?»

Reaction from spectators on the South Lawn was largely shocked silence. On the Ellipse, where tens of thousands of people gathered for a UFC Freedom 250 watch party, his disparaging comment about Obama drew mixed reactions. There were some cheers and some equally quizzical looks at what the heavyweight had just said.

Before his comment about Obama, Hokit gave President Donald Trump a chain and praised him, then called out UFC heavyweight Alex Pereira, who also fought on the card.

UFC president and CEO Dana White condemned Hokit's postfight statement in a text message to Time Magazine, a response the UFC then referred to when asked for comment.

«I understand that the Obama's are public figures but I'm completely against saying nasty and false things about people's families,» White told Time in the text message. «Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.»

Hokit didn't directly address his postfight comments but wrote on Instagram on Monday, in part: «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.»

Messages left with the White House, the office of Michelle Obama and Hokit's representatives were not immediately returned Monday to ESPN.

In an interview with ESPN in May leading up to the UFC White House card, White was asked if he would talk with his athletes about watching what they say, considering they were fighting on federal land at the White House instead