Senator Lindsey Graham and UFC CEO Dana White have called out UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit over the comments he made about Michelle Obama following his win at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on Sunday.

Hokit sparked a backlash after using his post-fight interview to repeat false claims about the former first lady. After winning his heavyweight fight against Derrick Lewis Hokit thanked President Donald Trump for hosting the event before ending the interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan by saying: "Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?”

The claim by Hokit has circulated for years as an unfounded conspiracy theory targeting the former first lady.

Graham told TMZ on Monday that Hokit’s comments were “not good” and calling him an “idiot.”

“It took away from the event,” the Republican senator said.

“It was a fun event. It was to celebrate America’s founding, who we are as a nation… It was sort of a modern-day gladiators fighting hard and shaking each other’s hand and the spirit of sports. That was not the spirit of sports.”

Asked what his reaction was when he heard the comments, Graham said: “The guy was an idiot.”

White also condemned Hokit’s comments, telling Time magazine in a text message: “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.”

This is a developing story. More to follow.