For UFC boss Dana White, heavyweight Josh Hokit’s post-fight behavior at the UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday crossed a line.
On Monday, the mixed martial arts promotion’s president and chief executive told Time reporter Sean Gregory via texthe is “completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families” in reference to Hokit’s tasteless comment about Michelle Obama. During the White House spectacle in front of President Trump and other attendees, Hokit propped up a false conspiracy about the former first lady, declaring “Michelle Obama is a man.”
Hokit drew mixed reaction from the UFC Freedom 250 crowd — and also from social media users, with some repeating the false claim in the comments on Hokit’s Instagram page and others chiding it.White joined the latter with his response.
“Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense,” White’s text added.
Hokit insulted Obama months after Trump faced backlash in February for a racist social media videothat depicted President Obama and the former first lady as apes. Amid mounting public criticism, the White House took down the video and blamed an unnamed aide.
Michelle Obama, clearly on Hokit’s mind on Sunday, was busy with other matters over the weekend: preparing with her husband to open their Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The museum and library hosts its grand opening Thursday and will be open to the public Friday.
Times staff writer Ana Ceballos contributed to this report.
The post Even UFC boss Dana White is ‘completely against’ Josh Hokit’s ugly jab at Michelle Obama appeared first on Los Angeles Times.
