UFC fighter Josh Hokit took the opportunity Tuesday to explain his controversial comment, “Michelle Obama is a man” after he won a fight at the White House’s UFC Freedom 250 event.

During an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Hokit said, “I thought I was giving her a compliment.” When Helwani said that wasn’t how people had taken his comment, Hokit continued explaining, “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.”

Hokit made the disparaging remarks in an interview immediately following his victory over Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight fight. Talking to commentator Joe Rogan on the Paramount+ livestream, the fighter unexpectedly shouted into the microphone, “And lastly, Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?,” causing the live audience in Washington, D.C., to erupt in shouts. The incendiary comments were roundly criticized on social media but went unaddressed throughout the remainder of the broadcast. Appearing flustered, Rogan backed away from the fighter and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit.”

Hokit also told the YouTube MMA show host that the comment showcased America’s freedom of speech. “I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech. You go somewhere [else in the world] and you say something like that and you die. And I’m not suicidal by the way. I’m in good spirits. I’m a little under the weather right now but other that than, I’m good. And so in other parts of the world, you say something like that and you’re not here to speak to Ariel Helwani, you know. So yeah, I don’t know there’s a ways — there’s a few answers to that. There’s a certain side that pokes at another side and there’s no outrage there and so I thought it was a perfect time to take a jab.”

Hokit wasn’t about to apologize for the comment, telling Helwani, “That’s one thing about my career. … You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say.”

UFC CEO Dana White, who has famously stood by his athletes when they draw backlash for off-color speech, condemned Hokim in a statement to Time magazine. “I understand that the Obamas are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” White wrote. “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”

The White House had previously dodged questions about the controversial post-game interview. Asked about Hokit’s Michelle Obama comment, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told the press, “He had a great win last night. He showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground,” according to CNN’s Jake Tapper.

The UFC Freedom 250 event streamed on Paramount+ on June 15 and saw fighters from the U.S. and abroad facing off in an octagon set up on the White House lawn. Trump, First Lady Melania and White watched the matches cageside, and comedians Shane Gillis, Nate Bargatze and Tony Hinchcliffe were also in attendance. The broadcast, which just so happened to take place on Trump’s 80th birthday, was bloody but largely apolitical, with UFC fighters marching from the White House to the octagon alongside U.S. veterans and first responders.