Josh Hokit’s biggest UFC win was quickly overshadowed by what he said afterwards. After beating Derrick Lewis at the White House card, Hokit used his post-fight interview to make a disparaging remark about Michelle Obama.
The comment spread quickly and drew criticism, turning a major career moment into a political controversy. Even Dana White later said he hated it.
Daniel Cormier has now addressed the situation. The former two-weight UFC champion defended the former first lady and said Hokit wasted a chance to win more supporters.
Daniel Cormier says Josh Hokit took an unnecessary shot at Michelle Obama
Cormier believes Hokit had a major opportunity after beating one of the most recognisable heavyweights in UFC history, but he missed it.
‘DC’ said: “He could have left and he could have made more fans than he walked in there with, because they would have gotten to see Josh Hokit.”
Instead, Cormier felt Hokit turned attention away from his performance by taking aim at Michelle Obama.
He added: “But instead, he goes and says the thing about Michelle Obama, who is as classy a person as you will ever meet, who has only represented herself, her family in this country with grace and class.”
The 47-year-old then made his view clear, saying: “She’s been a person that it should be hard to take shots at. And it was just an unnecessary shot on her.”
Daniel Cormier says Josh Hokit is not really like that away from cameras
Cormier also suggested fans were not seeing the real Hokit in that moment.
The former UFC two-weight champion said: “Josh has been in my gym. Josh was in the fighter meetings last weekend and he wasn’t doing the whole character thing. He’s just a normal dude.”
That made the post-fight comment even more frustrating for ‘DC’, who believes Hokit does not need that approach.
He stated: “He’s a good fighter and he’s a great athlete. But the comments that he made in the Octagon just made no sense. It was unnecessary. It was unnecessary.”
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