Alexis Ohanian is responding after his appearance at UFC Freedom 250 put him in the middle of a messy political and cultural firestorm. The backlash started after Josh Hokit used his post-fight moment on the White House South Lawn to make a nasty remark about former First Lady Michelle Obama. Ohanian’s appearance at the event has only added to the conversation regarding Black allyship.
Ohanian, who is married to Serena Williams, said he was invited to the event by UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings. While some questioned why he attended given the political climate surrounding the White House-hosted fight card, Ohanian made it clear that his presence did not mean he supported what was said later.
“Lot of people asking me to comment: Yes, that fighter’s slur about former First Lady Michelle Obama was vile and inappropriate,” Ohanian wrote on X. “I attended the UFC event via invitation from TKO/IMG leadership (I own 5 pro sports teams + a league). I was already on my way home when those comments were made and was glad to see Dana condemn them.”
Ohanian also pointed to his past record, noting that he previously resigned from Reddit in protest and pushed the platform to “curb communities for hate and violence.”
The controversy came after Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis and spoke with UFC host Joe Rogan.
“Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put on some s**t like this,” Hokit said. Then, after reportedly making a crude comment about Alex Pereira’s mother, he added, “Lastly… Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”
That remark quickly drew criticism, including from UFC president Dana White.
“I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White said in a statement shared with Time Magazine. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”
Comedian Shane Gillis, who was also at the event, told TMZ, “I don’t like that s**t.”
