Josh Hokit isn’t backing down. Following criticism from Daniel Cormier over comments Hokit made about Michelle Obama at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this month, the heavyweight has issued a blunt response to the Hall of Fame fighter: if you don’t like it, then come do something about it.
The controversy stems from Hokit’s post-fight remarks at UFC Freedom 250, held at the White House. Hokit had just pulled off one of the biggest wins of his MMA career that night, defeating heavyweight veteran Derrick Lewis. It was the kind of victory that should have dominated the conversation around Hokit’s performance — but his comments about Michelle Obama quickly overshadowed the result and drew public pushback from Cormier, a former two-division UFC champion and prominent MMA commentator.
Cormier’s criticism apparently didn’t sit well with Hokit, who met it head-on rather than walking anything back. The defiant response signals that Hokit has no intention of distancing himself from what he said, and he appears willing to let the back-and-forth with Cormier play out in public if it comes to that.
Whether the spat remains a war of words or escalates further remains to be seen, but Hokit’s willingness to go toe-to-toe with one of the most respected names in combat sports suggests he’s comfortable with the spotlight — and the controversy — that comes with it.
Reporting and match coverage produced by the PW Exclusive team. Articles under this byline are drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication — see our editorial standards for how we work.
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