Josh Hokit stands by controversial White House comments

UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit says he will not apologize for the controversial remarks he made after UFC White House earlier this month.

Hokit, who defeated Derrick Lewis at the June 15 event, drew widespread criticism for a tasteless and bigoted comment about former First Lady Michelle Obama. The remark prompted public pushback, including from UFC CEO Dana White, but Hokit told Yahoo! Sports he has no intention of walking it back. "You'll never hear me backtrack from what I say," he said.

Hokit compares his approach to Cejudo and Strickland

The New Zealand fighter pointed to other UFC athletes who have expressed regret over past statements, saying he rejects that approach entirely. He cited Henry Cejudo's acknowledgment of regrets and Sean Strickland's post-fight clarification that some comments were meant to sell fights. "That's one thing about my career, I'm never going to" backtrack, Hokit said, per the Yahoo! Sports report.

Since joining the UFC via Contender Series last year, Hokit has fought four times in the promotion and climbed the heavyweight rankings. He credits his unfiltered persona with accelerating his rise. "I'm here to make a splash, and I'm here to back up my words as well," he told Yahoo! Sports. "So, if anybody feels some type of way, they know where to find me."

Hokit said he would only reconsider his approach if it caused problems with White or matchmaker Hunter Campbell. "They would message me if they really felt a certain way," he said. "But at the end of the day, all the other people, it's like, they weren't there when I was down."

Hokit's next fight has not been announced.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Josh Hokit doubles down on controversial UFC White House comments: ‘You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say’ | MMA Fighting