UFC CEO Dana White has publicly distanced himself from controversial remarks made by heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit following a victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event held on the White House lawn.

Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis before drawing attention away from his win with a post-fight comment directed at former First Lady Michelle Obama. During an interview, he referenced a long-running conspiracy theory that falsely claims Obama is transgender—a claim for which there is no credible evidence and which has been repeatedly debunked.

Dana White Condemns Remark

In a text message to TIME, White made it clear he did not support the statement despite his well-known stance on free speech.

“I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White said, adding that he hates “that kind of nonsense.” His response quickly became one of the biggest talking points to emerge from the event.

Comment Overshadows Major UFC Event

The White House card was intended to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and featured several high-profile guests. However, much of the post-event discussion shifted from the fights themselves to Hokit’s comments and the reaction that followed.

The fighter’s remarks were widely criticized across social media, with many arguing that they distracted from what had otherwise been a successful night for the promotion. Community discussions online suggested that the controversy quickly became a larger story than the sporting results.

Additional Drama At The White House

The event also generated headlines after reports circulated that fellow UFC star Sean Strickland had been escorted away from the venue. White later clarified that Strickland had not been banned but simply was not invited to the event.

Meanwhile, several notable figures attended the historic card, including boxing heavyweight Tyson Fury, adding further attention to one of the most unusual UFC events in recent memory.

Fallout Continues

While Hokit secured one of the biggest wins of his career, many observers believe the controversy surrounding his post-fight interview may have become the lasting headline from the night.

As debate continues online, White’s response has positioned the UFC chief among those seeking to separate the sport’s achievements from the personal remarks made after the fight.

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