Comedian Shane Gillis was ringside at a UFC event that gave everyone plenty to talk about, but it was not the action inside the octagon that had the comedian weighing in. After UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit delivered a post-bout speech that included a claim that Michelle Obama is a man, Gillis was asked by a reporter what he thought of the remark.
“I don’t love that,” Gillis said plainly, before softening slightly. “I didn’t think it was funny.”
The comment came after Hokit’s victory over Derrick Lewis, during which the heavyweight took the microphone and went well beyond the usual post-bout pleasantries. The remarks drew immediate attention and have continued to generate reactions since.
Hokit later attempted to provide some cover for himself by attributing the statement to his in-ring persona, the “Incredible Hulk.” Sitting down with the Kairouz Bros after the event, he explained the separation between himself and the character. “That was the Incredible Hulk. I don’t know what what that was all about,” he said.
But when pressed on whether the character genuinely holds that belief, Hokit did not hesitate. “He 100% believes,” he confirmed.
Hokit went on to offer what he described as his reasoning, pointing to video footage he claimed to have seen and referencing a moment where former President Barack Obama reportedly referred to Michelle as “Michael.” “Barack wants to talk about shout out to Michael. You know what I’m saying? I’ve seen those videos too,” he said.
Aware that his comments on a live UFC broadcast could carry professional consequences, Hokit addressed that reality directly. “Yeah, I’m sure. And that’s why I have to pay for it. And so just know that I’m not s*icidal. I’m in good spirits. And so if something happens to me, you know what happened,” he said.
Despite the off-color moments surrounding the event, Hokit expressed clear goals for his future in the sport, including a desire to face former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who recently lost his title to Ciryl Gane.
“Ciryl Gane, he’s a big athletic guy and he throws straight punches. His fig ht IQ is good and so I’m not surprised. But I would love to give Pereira a fig ht,” Hokit said. “I’m kind of committed to this. Pereira, hurry up and get healthy. We can compete.”
