Former champion has advice for Josh Hokit

Undefeated UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit (10-0) has turned heads and raised eyebrows with his octagon performances and antics during press conferences and interviews. He drew national attention with his comments about former First Lady Michelle Obama after his win over Derrick Lewis at the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn.

"Michelle Obama is a man," he said to a mixed reaction from the crowd. His comment has drawn criticism from mainstream media outlets and legends in the sport, including former two-division titleholder Daniel Cormier. UFC CEO Dana White called Hokit's statement "disgusting."

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis isn't a fan of Hokit's alter egos and schtick and considers it all a bit cringe.

"I think right now he's getting in his own way saying something stupid like that. I mean, freedom of speech one thing, but it's so irrelevant and it's, you know, it was so, it's not even something that people are talking about right now. Read the room," Du Plessis told Fight Forecast.

"It's not a topic that is of discussion. Such a random joke he tried to make that didn't land at all. I think it was a mistake, but I mean, he's new in the game and that's how we learn. I mean, if you say something and you like live by it, but that's not something anybody lives by. That was trying to be funny. And I don't think it worked out, so I think it's going to cost him. I think that comment is going to cost him."

Du Plessis praised Hokit's fighting ability and has been impressed with his recent performances over Lewis and Curtis Blaydes. As far as Hokit's persona, Du Plessis had some advice for "The Incredible Hok."

"I haven't seen anything like this before. I mean, maybe in WWE, but it's borderline being weird. It's borderline for me to, I don't want to watch it. Like, when he has the mic, I don't want to see it. It's too intense and the antics, it's too much. It's too much. I do believe so," Du Plessis said.

"I see what he's going for. Go for it. Maybe a Colby Covington, but he's trying too hard a little I think. Just turn it down a notch. Maybe like a Covington, between Covington and Chael Sonnen. That's what I see, but they got it. You know, when they did it, they did it right. I think he's trying to create something new and for me it's not working. But the fight style, I have no advice for him. Keep on going."