*Ex-NFL QB Cam Newton is adding his voice to the growing backlash against UFC fighter Josh Hokit after controversial comments Hokit made about former First Lady Michelle Obama following his victory at UFC Freedom 250.
The criticism comes days after Hokit defeated Derrick Lewis at the event held on the White House lawn and sparked outrage with remarks directed at Obama. The comments quickly became one of the biggest storylines to emerge from the event, drawing condemnation from prominent figures across sports and media.
Now, Newton is making it clear that he believes Hokit crossed a line.
Newton’s Strong Response
During an episode of his “4th and 1” podcast, the former NFL MVP delivered a pointed message aimed directly at Hokit.
“In our culture, we don’t play about certain individuals. Certain people are untouchable,” Newton said. “If you utter anything disrespectful about an Obama, it doesn’t matter if it’s the daughters, it doesn’t matter if it’s the wife… They [are] some good people, they served this country well.”
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Newton said Michelle Obama should never have been dragged into the post-fight moment and described her as an innocent target of unnecessary criticism.
“See, that was an innocent bystander,” he said. “But Mr. Josh, you [are] going to stay away from that one. We don’t play about that one.”
The former Carolina Panthers star also questioned the judgment behind the remarks, while emphasizing that public figures should carefully consider the impact of their words.
“Who knows whether he was in his right or wrong mind,” Newton added. “But at the end of the day… be very careful and be very mindful, the people who you ain’t cool with or who you don’t like.”
Calling The Remarks ‘Tasteless’
Newton reserved some of his strongest criticism for the aftermath of the incident, arguing that Hokit went too far.
“The fact that even Joe Rogan was taken aback. That was tasteless. You’re doing way too much,” Newton said. “Brother, please think about what you said, because that was stupid.”
The comments reflected a broader sentiment shared by many observers who felt Hokit’s remarks overshadowed what should have been a celebration of his performance inside the cage.
Instead of focusing on the victory itself, much of the public discussion shifted to the controversy that followed, generating criticism from several high-profile voices.
Dana White Also Condemned Hokit
Newton was not alone in speaking out.
Immediately after the event, UFC CEO Dana White publicly criticized Hokit’s comments aimed at the former First Lady. White’s response was among the earliest and most significant reactions, given his leadership role within the organization.
The swift condemnation from White underscored how quickly the controversy had spread beyond the fight itself.
What was intended to be a memorable night for Hokit instead became a public relations headache that continued generating headlines long after the final bout ended.
As criticism mounted, attention increasingly shifted away from athletic achievement and toward questions about sportsmanship, public conduct and accountability.
Stephen A. Smith Questions Trump’s Reaction
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith also addressed the controversy during an episode of “Straight Shooter With Stephen A.”
Smith praised the overall event but said Hokit’s comments significantly damaged what otherwise could have been remembered as a successful evening.
“It was a spectacular event. It was ruined by the one (expletive) who was fighting in the octagon who said that Michelle Obama was a man,” Smith said.
He went on to describe the remarks as “incredibly disparaging” and praised Michelle Obama’s legacy as First Lady.
“It was a disgusting thing to say. It was inexcusable,” Smith added.
Smith also criticized President Donald Trump’s reaction to the moment, arguing that the comments should have been immediately and forcefully denounced.
“When he said it, Trump smiled,” Smith said. “It was denounced, thank God, by Dana White, the president and CEO of the UFC… This should have immediately been denounced by the president.”
A Growing Pattern Of Controversy
The latest incident is not the first time Hokit has generated headlines for comments made after a victory.
Earlier this year, after defeating Denzel Freeman at UFC 324, the polarizing fighter ended a post-fight interview with a remark directed at Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner.
That previous controversy has resurfaced as critics point to what they see as a pattern of attention-grabbing statements following major wins.
For now, the reaction from Newton, White, Smith and others suggests the fallout is far from over. While Hokit earned one of the biggest victories of his fighting career at UFC Freedom 250, the conversation surrounding the event continues to center on the remarks he made afterward rather than what happened inside the cage.
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