'I was giving her a compliment': Josh Hokit gives bizzare excuse for calling Michelle Obama 'man'

WASHINGTON, DC: After igniting a firestorm with his controversial remarks inside the UFC cage on the White House South Lawn, Josh Hokit is scrambling to contain the fallout, but his explanation appears to be making matters worse.

The 28-year-old MMA heavyweight insisted that referring to Michelle Obama as a "man" was not intended as an insult, arguing instead that he meant it as "a compliment."

Hokit was handpicked by Donald Trump to compete on the UFC Freedom 250 card held on June 14, which also coincided with the president's 80th birthday celebration.

After defeating Derrick Lewis in a crucial showdown, Hokit seized the opportunity to give a shoutout to Trump while also taking aim at the former first lady.

“Shout-out to Trump for having the balls to put something like this on,” Hokit told Rogan, before thanking his “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” and then looking directly into the camera to state, “Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?”

Josh Hokit says remark was compliment

Hokit addressed his statement on the latest episode of ‘The Ariel Helwani Show,’ saying he “thought I was giving her a compliment.” “I don’t think anyone viewed it as such,” Helwani shot back.

Hokit then attempted to explain his comments, saying, “Michelle Obama being a man... It’s like, she knows how to deal with adversity. She knows how to work hard like a man when the times get tough. You know... the tough keep going.”

Helwani then asked the fighter why, of all the things he could have said after his victory, he chose to make the Obama comment.

“I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with the freedom of speech... You go somewhere and you [say] something like that and you die,” the fighter insisted.

Insisting he "was not suicidal" and remained "in good spirits," Hokit said he saw an opportunity to "take a jab," arguing that one side routinely mocks the other without facing similar outrage.

When Helwani asked if he regretted saying it, Hokit quickly stated, “Oh, never.” “That’s one thing about my career... I’m never gonna... You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say,” he continued.

Dana White condemns Josh Hokit's remarks

Though Trump has not publicly weighed in on the controversy, CNN reported that the president appeared to crack a "half-smile" moments after Hokit delivered the remark that sparked the backlash.

However, UFC boss Dana White addressed the controversy, publicly rebuking Hokit’s comments.

“I understand that the Obamas are public figures, but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families. Everyone knows my position on free speech, but I hate that kind of nonsense,” he stated.

Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier also weighed in with a sharp condemnation of the remarks.

“The comments that he made in the Octagon just made no sense,” Cormier declared on his weekly podcast. “It was irresponsible, it was nasty, it was horrible, and it was unnecessary.”

“He started his post-fight interview... and he was going to do one of these gimmicky things that, honestly, I think it's lame,” the champion added.