UFC boss Dana White has issued a strong response to Josh Hokit’s vile slur aimed at Michelle Obama following his statement vcitory over Derrick Little at the White House on Sunday night. The US came together to celebrate President Donald Trump’s birthday over the weekend with a bizarre UFC event on the iconic Front Lawn.

The main event saw Ilia Topuria lose his undefeated record and his lightweight championship against 37-year-old Justin Gaethje, as the American forced the Georgian to quit on his stool and not answer the bell for the fifth and final round. At heavyweight, Alex Pereira lost his debut in the division to former champion Ciryl Gane, who took home the interim championship in the process.

But it’s Hokit’s continued unbeaten streak that has debatably captured the most attention from the once-in-a-lifetime event, with White now addressing his bizarre interview, where the 28-year-old chose to call the former First Lady a ‘man’.

Dana White Issues Strong Reaction To Hokit’s Obama Slur

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

The rising star ended his interview with “Lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?” But while it was met with a mixed reaction at the White House, with president Trump appearing to embrace him and uphold his champion status as a lip reader reviewed footage of the pair, it seems as if Dana White wasn’t a big fan of the comment. He told TIME (watch the incident below):

Unfortunately for the UFC, it seems as if much of the focus will now be on Hokit’s comments rather than the event itself, which actually turned out to be a success when many doubted if it would be possible.

Other Controversies in Historic White House Card

Credit: UFC

Hokit’s outburst wasn’t the only controversy at the event, as pictures also captured fellow fighter Sean Strickland being escorted away from the event after reports suggested that he had been banned, although White later clarified that he simply hadn’t been invited.

Other esteemed guests at the White House included Tyson Fury, who was in attendance after cheering on his brother Tommy in his fight against Eddie Hall in Manchester the night prior, despite previous reports suggesting that he had a US travel ban.

The UFC‘s one-of-a-kind spectacle, held on Sunday, the 14th of June, at the South Lawn of The White House, may only have been a seven-fight card, but each one delivered a thrilling finish, including the all-American contest between heavyweight sluggers, Josh Hokit, and fan-favorite, Derrick Lewis.

Hokit, 28, entered the fight with an unbeaten record thanks to sustained success in Bellator, LFA, and now UFC — with a second-round knockout over a badly-gassed Lewis enough to extend his pro record to 10-0 (6 knockouts and 3 submissions).

Though Lewis had a 34-pound weight advantage, it may have worked against him considering the way in which the fight played out, because of Hokit’s superior speed, unrelenting pressure, and a wrestling-heavy opening round that included a near fight-ending armbar. Lewis had no answers to any of the questions Hokit posed. And he was picked apart by the time a brutal combination floored him late in round two.

But it is not Hokit’s performance that polarized onlookers, including the UFC boss Dana White, but how he made use of the platform on federal grounds in Washington, D.C., and what he said on the microphone about the former First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

In his post-fight interview speaking to a smiling Joe Rogan, Hokit shouted out U.S. President, Donald Trump, Octagonside at the time, saying he had “the balls to put some s*** like this one.”

He then amplified a baseless conspiracy theory about former President Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle. “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

The comment generated a mixed response in the venue, which was made of servicemen and women, as well as first responders. According to CNN, Trump could be seen responding to the crude remark with a “subtle smirk.” This contrasted the message White sent out, in a statement Time published.

“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 text message to TIME. “Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense.”

Now the official Democrats account on X, which is the political party associated with the Obamas, had their say:

Other results in the UFC Freedom 250 event including Justin Gaethje’s incredible fourth-round bludgeoning of Ilia Topuria to claim the UFC lightweight championship, and Ciryl Gane‘s ruthless beatdown of Alex Pereira to become the interim champion at heavyweight.

Earlier in the card, Sean O’Malley stopped Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy overwhelmed Michael Chandler, and Bo Nickal beat Kyle Daukaus in the first-round. In the very first fight of the night, Diego Lopes came from behind to slaughter Steve Garcia in the second round.

When it comes to the world of football, Portugal certainly has provided a fair few special talents over the years. And while they may still be awaiting a first-ever World Cup win, no international tournament feels complete without the iconic red and green colours of the European nation.

Countless Portuguese stars have dazzled, with the current game littered with those from the Iberian Peninsula. Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, will go down as one of the best players to ever grace the sport. But which of his fellow countrymen also deserve to be regarded in a similar vein?

To solve this dilemma, GIVEMESPORT has written up a list, ranking the 30 greatest players to ever play for Portugal.

Ranking factors

• International achievements (honours, appearances, goals, assists, etc)
• Club achievements (honours, appearances, goals, assists, etc)
• Individual awards
• Legacy within football

25

Ricardo Quaresma

Ricardo Quaresma was one of the most gifted and unpredictable players of his generation. Known for his flair, creativity and trademark trivela passes and shots, he could produce moments of magic that few others could match. One of his most memorable goals came at the 2018 World Cup, when he curled a brilliant trivela strike into the net against Iran.

Although his inconsistency sometimes held him back, Quaresma still enjoyed a highly successful career. He played an important part in Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 triumph, scoring the winning goal in extra time against Croatia in the last 16 as the team went on to claim its first major international trophy.

At club level, Quaresma also tasted success abroad, winning the treble with Inter Milan during the 2009/10 season under fellow Portuguese José Mourinho. His career may have had its ups and downs, but his talent was never in doubt.

24

Antonio Simoes

Antonio Simoes spent 14 professional seasons with Benfica, playing 449 official games and scoring 72 goals from the left wing position. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he also represented several teams in the United States, and subsequently worked as a manager in both continents.

Simoes holds the record of youngest player (18 years and 139 days old) to play and win a European Cup final, when he appeared for Benfica against Real Madrid in 1962. How underrated he is is best proven by the fact images of him are hard to come by.

23

Nuno Gomes

With 29 goals in 79 caps, Nuno Gomes remains one of Portugal’s all-time top goalscorers. He played a crucial role in their “golden generation,” finishing third at Euro 2000 and reaching the final of Euro 2004.

Known for his clever movement, which combined perfectly with the fact he didn’t need much encouragement to turn few touches into goals, Gomes is another on this list who spent most of his time with Lisbon giants Benfica. He spent 12 seasons across two separate stints with them, cementing his legacy as an icon. In total, he scored 166 goals in 398 appearances for them alone.

22

Fernando Couto

While Portugal is mostly known for its technically-gifted footballing imports, Fernando Couto completely ripped up what outsiders knew about the Iberian nation throughout the 1990s. He was an uncompromising, physical “stopper” who loved tight marking and gained a reputation for his intense, sometimes combative approach to defending.

Despite being average in height for a modern centre-back, Couto’s exceptional leap and timing made him a massive threat both in clearing crosses and scoring goals at the other end. And, as the Porto defender’s career progressed, he became more of a Libero with clubs such as Parma, allowing him to read the game, cover for his teammates, and dictate play from the back.

21

Jose Augusto

Jose Augusto played most of his career with Benfica, for which he appeared in 369 competitive matches and scored 174 goals, winning 13 major honours, including eight Primeira Liga titles and two European Cups. He was dubbed the “Portuguese Garrincha” by French footballer, coach, and journalist Gabriel Hanot.

He earned 45 caps for Portugal, and was a key part of the squad that took part in the 1966 World Cup. Despite his legendary status, though, his two attacking partners – Jose Aguas and Eusebio – both stole much of the limelight from him.

20

Joao Pinto

A key member of Portugal’s celebrated “golden generation,” which lifted consecutive U-20 World Cup titles in 1989 and 1991, João Pinto was a creative playmaker who could unlock defences at the drop of a hat and had a keen eye for goal, netting 23 times in 81 appearances for the national team.

Pinto helped Portugal reach the semi-finals of Euro 2000, but he was also known for occasionally letting his temper get the better of him. That fiery streak landed him in hot water at the 2002 World Cup, where he received a six-month suspension after pushing a referee following his dismissal. At club level, he enjoyed success on both sides of Lisbon’s football divide, winning Primeira Liga titles with Benfica and later with their fierce rivals, Sporting CP.

19

Nene

Few forwards in Portuguese football have matched Nene’s consistency in front of goal. Spending his entire professional career with Benfica between 1968 and 1986, he rattled in an astonishing 359 goals across 575 appearances, helping the club claim 10 league crowns. His exploits did not go unnoticed, as he was named Portuguese Footballer of the Year in 1971 and finished atop the Primeira Liga scoring charts on two occasions.

On the international stage, Nene earned 66 caps and struck 22 goals for Portugal. He played a pivotal role in the Seleção’s memorable run to the Euro 1984 semi-finals, proving time and again that he had a knack for being in the right place at the right time when the stakes were highest.

18

Jose Aguas

Before the television was a centrepiece in every European household, Jose Aguas was one of the most prolific goalscorers in football, and typified the modern day characterisation of a “fox in the box”. As the legendary captain of Benfica, he won 5 Primeira Liga titles (finishing top goalscorer in all of those) and back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962.

He scored a staggering 290 goals in just 281 official matches for the club, and ran so that Eusebio could walk later down the line. Also notably, he was the top scorer of the 1960/61 European Cup, scoring his team’s opening goal in both the 1961 final against FC Barcelona (3-2) and the 1962 final against Real Madrid (5-3).

17

Ruben Dias

A gem at the back for Manchester City, Ruben Dias has earned his reputation as a defensive titan, and one of the best in his position in the world. Fearless when tackling, an underrated passer of the ball and a leader at the back, he is well-equipped to play Pep Guardiola’s style of football and has cemented his status as a key part of the winning-machine at the Etihad Stadium for the best part of the last decade.

Injuries prevent him from being any higher on this list, but he’s always a commanding presence when fit, both for club and country. For Portugal, he has 76 caps, which has amounted to two Nations League winners’ medals.

16

Jose Torres

Jose Torres, affectionately nicknamed “O Bom Gigante” (The Good Giant), was an exceptionally prolific centre-forward and a legendary figure in Portuguese football. Standing at 6ft3in, he relied on formidable physical presence and clinical finishing to amass 226 goals in 259 appearances for Benfica.

It was with the same club that amassed 9 Portuguese Liga titles and 6 Portuguese Cups during his 12-season stint, while also helping score the goals that got them to three European Cup finals. With the national side, he scored 14 goals in just 34 caps, starring alongside a certain other iconic striker.