Rising UFC heavyweight contender Josh Hokit has revealed the ‘real reason’ why he insulted former first lady Michelle Obama after his win at the White House earlier this month.

The former NFL player went viral for his post-fight interview after stopping Derrick Lewis in the second round. Instead of basking in the 10th win of his professional career on such a big stage, the 28-year-old caused major controversy when he declared: “Michelle Obama is a man” and followed that up with “Am I right, America?”

Veteran broadcaster Joe Rogan quickly wrapped up the interview to avoid Hokit making any more remarks. Among those to publicly criticise the fighter for his slur was UFC Hall of Famer, Daniel Cormier, who branded it “disgusting”.

Although UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that Hokit will not be punished by the promotion for his actions, the interview is still a major point of contention for many.

Josh Hokit Opens Up on Controversial Michelle Obama Interview

As a result, when Hokit appeared on a recent edition of the Ariel Helwani Show, the veteran Canadian podcaster was keen to find out what had motivated the Californian native to make such an offensive comment.

Hokit has become known for his outlandish, tongue-in-cheek, statements since joining the UFC and so it was no surprise to see him take a similar stance when Helwani first asked him about his interview.

“I thought I was giving her a compliment. I don’t think anyone viewed it as Michelle Obama being a man. It’s more like she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to work hard like a man when times get tough.

“It was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech… In other parts of the world, you say something like that and you die,” he reasoned, before insisting that he would never apologise for his words.

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

Josh Hokit’s Motivation Behind Michelle Obama UFC White House Insult

However, later in the interview, Hokit gave a far more grounded explanation as to why he chooses to make such controversial comments.

“Don’t hate the player, hate the game, and that’s the game we’re playing nowadays. We’re playing a numbers game, and I’m gonna win them every single time. Whatever brings the most eyes to my fight, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Speaking about the financial impact of his UFC notoriety, the fighter confirmed:

As distasteful as some may find Hokit’s comments, he stated that the UFC have not contacted him to complain about his conduct.

“They would message me if they really felt a certain way. They can always feel some type of way. I respect their opinions, but we do have freedom of speech, so it is what it is. I don’t like what other people say, but I’ve got to deal with it.”

After his win at the White House, Hokit looks to be in line for a big fight next, with names such as Brazilian superstar Alex Pereira being mentioned as a possible opponent.

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally arrived at the 2026 World Cup. The 41-year-old netted twice as Portugal demolished Uzbekistan 5-0 in their second Group K match.

It wasn’t the most ideal start to the World Cup for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Portugal could only muster a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their opening match and Ronaldo came in for much of the criticism.

Reports of internal fallouts between players and even their partners had begun to surface between their first two fixtures, so the win couldn’t have come at a better time for Ronaldo and his team.

But despite the Portuguese captain turning in a Man of the Match performance, a familiar name started to get mentioned in his post-match interviews, and Ronaldo was in no mood to discuss it.

Ronaldo Snaps at Mention of Messi’s Name

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Despite his record-breaking night in Houston, where he became the first player to score in six different World Cups, Ronaldo grew visibly irritated when the conversation turned to Lionel Messi.

The Argentine has enjoyed a sensational start to the tournament, scoring five times in his opening fixtures and breaking Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record at the World Cup, but Ronaldo made it clear he has no interest in keeping tabs on his long-term rival.

When pressed on the subject of Messi, Ronaldo immediately stormed out, but not before snapping back:

Watch Ronaldo storm out below:

It wasn’t an isolated moment, either. Footage also caught a separate incident in which Ronaldo turned away and began taking questions from another journalist the second Messi’s name was mentioned again.

The Messi-Ronaldo Rivalry Rumbles on

Ronaldo’s reluctance to engage with Messi’s name is hardly surprising given the pair’s rivalry has defined the past two decades of football.

Both men have continued to add to their World Cup legacies in 2026, with Messi netting five times in Argentina’s opening two fixtures and Ronaldo now level with the conversation after his double against Uzbekistan moved him clear of Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament.

The pair’s paths could yet cross before the tournament concludes, with both nations well-placed to progress through the knockout stages now that Portugal recovered from their initial stumble so emphatically.

A potential meeting between Argentina and Portugal in the knockout rounds could be the last chapter in a rivalry that has shaped a generation of football, even if Ronaldo seems keen to keep the focus away from fuelling the debate further.

Tottenham are showing interest in a Premier League striker this summer, according to TeamTalk, as focus shifts to potential signings up front.

The change in direction follows the Lilywhites bolstering their defence, with three signings already confirmed to help tighten up a leaky backline for next season.

The midfield is a problem area, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes viewed as ideal potential candidates to fill the void, and then there’s the forward areas.

Tottenham are keen on wingers, with Cody Gakpo and Savinho emerging as options, but they may not be the only arrivals in the forward areas.

Strikers are being considered, and there’s a World Cup ace on the club’s radar.

Tottenham Linked With Brian Brobbey Transfer

As links continue to emerge over potential transfer options, TeamTalk reports that Sunderland and Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey is being monitored by Tottenham.

The report claims that Spurs have been tracking the 24-year-old before he made the move to the Black Cats, and retain an interest in him to this day.

The former Ajax star, who is ‘an absolute freak of a number nine’ according to one analyst on X, is attracting interest beyond North London as well, however, as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa have all been credited with admiration for the striker.

Brobbey, who scored seven goals in 31 appearances last season, is under contract at Sunderland until 2029, and the club currently has no interest in facilitating a sale just one-year on from signing him.

There is no price set on the centre-forward, though the report does suggest that an offer could yet test their resolve in the market.

It remains to be seen whether any club will step forward, with his World Cup performance so far suggesting that he has plenty more to offer in the future.

Ronald Koeman handed Brobbey his first start in the tournament against Sweden, where he bagged two goals and ran the defence ragged with his relentless physical ability, and showed why he has been described as “excellent”.

It showed exactly what Tottenham could have, and what the side are currently lacking in the forward areas.

Tottenham Need Striker Presence

via Reuters

Tottenham have lacked a lot of things in the past few seasons, but since the exit of Harry Kane, the lack of presence up front has been noticeable.

Dominic Solanke was signed as the replacement, but a mixture of injuries and just a general lack of impact means he is still trying to get his Spurs career off the ground.

Richarlison is inconsistent at best. He can put himself about, but rarely in a way that will hold up the ball and bring others into play like Roberto De Zerbi would want.

So, therefore, a move in the transfer market for someone who does all of that makes total sense. Brobbey has his flaws, and would certainly be a work in progress, but he has shown good glimpses in the past six months of what he can do.

Whether he’d be the perfect fit for what Tottenham would want right now remains to be seen. But he would certainly add something the team has been lacking.