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UFC Fighter Josh Hokit Facing Backlash After Michelle Obama Comments at White House Event
The White House praised his win but has not condemned the remark, which drew criticism from politicians and sparked immediate online backlash.
- On Saturday, heavyweight Josh Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis via TKO at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn, then screamed "Michelle Obama is a man" during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
- The 28-year-old fighter has cultivated a polarizing persona in recent months through outlandish antics, previously making similar derogatory remarks about WNBA star Brittney Griner after a January victory at UFC 324.
- President Donald Trump watched cageside with his wife Melania and UFC President Dana White, while the organization maintains a historic policy against penalizing fighters for their post-fight speech, regardless of content.
- Attendees in the 4,300-seat venue reacted with mixed shock to the remarks, yet Hokit faces no fines or penalties, consistent with the UFC's established practice of allowing fighters broad latitude in interviews.
- Despite the controversy, the undefeated heavyweight remains a rising star, extending his professional record to 10 wins with the victory over Lewis at the historic outdoor venue.
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(Washington = Yonhap News) Correspondent Cho Jun-hyung = On the 14th (local time), which was U.S. President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, a mixed martial arts (UFC) event held on the White House lawn...
·Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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Dana White condemns fighter who called Michelle Obama ‘a man’
UFC CEO Dana White broke his silence about the fighter who made disparaging remarks about Michelle Obama at the Freedom 250 fight on Sunday at the White House, criticizing the fighter for saying something “nasty” about the former first lady. “I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White wrote Time Magazine in a text message. “Everyone knows my position o…
·Washington, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources160
Leaning Left35Leaning Right35Center33Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 34% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 34% of the sources lean Right
34% Right
L 34%
C 32%
R 34%
Factuality
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