Josh Hokit is facing almighty backlash for celebrating his win at Donald Trump's controversial UFC cage fight this weekend by telling White House attendees, 'Michelle Obama is a man'.
The fighter took on Derrick Lewis on Sunday (14 Jun) in an event served to mark both 250 years of American independence and Republican leader Trump's 80th birthday.
Hokit, 28, knocked out his heavyweight opponent on the south lawn of the presidential residence in the third round, retaining his undefeated title.
His win was subsequently overshadowed, however, when he made a number of slanderous remarks against the former First Lady in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
Hokit knocked Lewis out in the third round (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Directing his remarks towards Trump, who was seen sitting on the front row, Hokit boasted: "I’m the man with the plan, the beast that’s ready to feast. You know what? F**k the speech.
"Shoutout to Trump for having the balls to put some s**t like this on.
"And if I’m gonna say anything, there’s only one person more incredible than the ‘Incredible Hok’, and that’s my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ."
Prior to calling out fellow fighter Alex Pereira, who would go head-to-head with Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship in the co-main event, he yelled into the microphone: "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?"
According to CNN, Republican leader Trump, who was seated in the front row during the match, was seen briefly smiling at Hokit's remark.
Hokit has been criticised for insulting Michelle Obama (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images) Unsurprisingly, the remarks about Obama - whose husband Barack's 2015 Trump's presidency preceded Trump's first stint in office - quickly divided viewers, many of whom slammed Hokit's remarks as both 'classless' and 'degrading'.
"So classless," one X user hit out. "What does this nonsense matter? You win at the White House and have to degrade people and yourself."
Another added of the sportsman: "What a hopeless mess... Well, it’s a scene that symbolises the decadence of 'Trump’s America' after all."
"If you really think that is funny and you’re not just another trolling MAGA," a third continued. "You’re a p***e of shit and a terrible human being.
"This is not OK."
This isn't the first time that Hokit has come under fire for using gender in an attempt to disparage individuals and figures he opposes.
Trump had been sitting on the front row (White House/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) He fired a similar insult in the direction of 10-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner back in January following another UFC event.
At the end of his victory speech, he told attendees of the female basketball player: "And P.S., Brittney Griner is a man."