Joshua Hokit said in a new interview he meant his post-fight claim that Michelle Obama is "a man" as a "compliment" and will not retract it.
On The Ariel Helwani Show, Hokit argued the remark praised Obama for handling adversity and working hard, saying he used the moment to showcase U.S. free speech.
The comment came after Hokit's win at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, where he said he wanted to "take a jab" at a political double standard.
Dana White, while reiterating his support for free speech, distanced himself from the episode and told Time he "hate[s] that kind of nonsense."