In a bold and contentious move, UFC lightweight contender Dan “Hangman” Hooker (24-12) recently ventured into the realm of fight promoting with his unsanctioned event “King of the Streets.” Held in a suburban Auckland, New Zealand backyard on May 24, 2025, the tournament featured 32 fighters competing in one-minute bouts without weight classes, vying for a $50,000 grand prize. Though the event didn’t have regulatory approval, it did have a healthy sponsorship partner in a gambling and streaming site.
That partnership resulted in each contestant earning a $1,000 paycheck just for participating. While Hooker defends the event as a showcase of raw athleticism and camaraderie, critics raised concerns about legality, safety, and the broader implications for combat sports in New Zealand.
Video clips from the event started to go viral in recent days, only adding to the controversy.
King of The Streets Event: Raw Combat in an Unorthodox Setting
“King of the Streets” was conceived during Hooker’s recovery from hand surgery, which sidelined him from a previously-scheduled UFC bout. The tournament’s format was unconventional to say the least.
Still, Hooker emphasized the event’s organization and safety measures, stating, “We had one fighter hurt his arm punching someone else. And that was the most serious injury we had for the day.” He also noted the presence of judges and medical staff to ensure the welfare of competing fighters.
However, video clips from the event show some fighters wearing sneakers while facing other fighters who competed barefoot. Another concerning factor in the event was the complete lack of a containment area for the bouts, and one fighter in a video on Dan Hooker’s X profile narrowly missed walking backward into a low-hanging tree branch during a fight he lost by flash knockout.
Men being men. pic.twitter.com/M8umWYHK4o
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) May 29, 2025
King of the Streets: Legal and Regulatory Concerns
Despite Hooker’s assurances, the event has drawn scrutiny from legal experts and regulatory bodies. New Zealand’s Boxing and Wrestling Act of 1981 governs sanctioned combat sports events across the country, requiring permits and adherence to safety protocols. However, the Act does not encompass all forms of combat sports, leaving events like “King of the Streets” in a legal gray area.
Sports lawyer Craig Dickson warned that participants in unsanctioned events could face criminal charges, stating, “If you’re far enough outside whatever that rule base might be, then you squarely land on assault to injure territory.” The lack of official oversight raises questions about consent, safety, and legal liability.
Moreover, one participant, identified as a senior Mongrel Mob member, was found to be wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet during the event, violating his bail conditions. This incident has been referred to the police, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the tournament.
Community and Official Reactions to King of the Streets
The event elicited mixed reactions from the combat sports community and regulatory officials. The president of New Zealand’s Boxing Coaches Association, Billy Meehan, criticized the tournament as “straight-out thuggery,” highlighting concerns over the absence of weight classes and standardized safety measures.
Conversely, some within the MMA community have expressed support. UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya praised the sportsmanship displayed during the event, noting the mutual respect among fighters. Hooker himself dismissed the backlash, attributing it to “a few lefties out there having a cry,” and emphasized the event’s positive atmosphere and organization.
The Broader Implications for Combat Sports in New Zealand After King of the Streets
“King of the Streets” has reignited discussions about the need for comprehensive regulation of combat sports in New Zealand. Currently, the absence of a unified governing body for MMA and similar disciplines leaves a regulatory vacuum that events like Hooker’s can exploit. The New Zealand Mixed Martial Arts Federation has called for the establishment of a combat sports commission to oversee and standardize safety protocols across all combat sports.
The event also raises questions about the role of prominent athletes in promoting unsanctioned competitions. While Hooker’s initiative may stem from a desire to provide opportunities for fighters and entertain fans, it underscores the potential risks when high-profile figures operate outside established regulatory frameworks.
Dan Hooker’s “King of the Streets” tournament represents a provocative intersection of innovation and controversy in the world of combat sports. While the event showcased raw athleticism and drew attention, it also highlighted significant legal and safety concerns. As New Zealand grapples with the implications of such unsanctioned events, the incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive regulation to ensure the safety and legality of all combat sports competitions.
Could “King of the Streets” Somehow Legitimize Backyard Fighting?
Backyard Fighting is by no means new. Kevin Ferguson, better known as Kimbo Slice, had a brief 5-2 MMA career launched by viral videos of his backyard fights. Those heavily shared video clips of Slice’s backyard brawls first made the backyard fighting concept famous.
Slice admitted to frequently ingesting PCP before his fights to take the edge off, and he actually tested positive for Nandrolone and elevated testosterone levels in his final MMA bout in Bellator against fellow backyard fighting enthusiast Dhafir Smith (AKA “Dada 5000”). Smith nearly died in the cage after his MMA fight with Slice, suffering a cardiac arrest and kidney failure. He never fought in mixed martial arts again. Slice himself died just months after the bout of congestive heart failure at the age of 42.
Hooker’s “King of the Streets” tournament drew immediate comparisons to Slice’s rise to fame in real backyards, using his huge fists and bullish forward pressure to dominate his opposition. Slice subsequently took his talent to organized mixed martial arts, appearing in EliteXC, Bellator, and even a season of the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter that led to his appearance in two official UFC bouts.
Dada 5000, who briefly ran a legitimate bareknuckle fighting organization, saw his own profile go viral in the wake of a movie called Dawg Fight. The film focused on Smith’s unregulated bareknuckle boxing promotion, which featured a makeshift ring and real crowds taking in a variety of unsanctioned fight cards.
Hooker’s tournament is the latest in a long line of gimmick fighting outfits created by those who seem to think there’s just not enough forms of combat sports for fans to enjoy. It is surely a popular idea, but perhaps Hooker should consider how much better “King of the Streets” could be if it did become formally regulated.
He could be setting up broadcast rights, gaining more legitimate sponsors, paying competitors a living wage, and helping unheralded new talent get recognized if he were to file the right paperwork to get it approved. Until he does just that, at this point, “King of the Streets” is just a G-rated version of Felony Fights.
