UFC star Dan Hooker has caused a commotion with his access to the world of promotion.
In addition to their own exploits in the Octagon, Jorge Masvidal, Anthony Pettis, Chael Sonnen and Urijah Faber have all tried to promote their hand. Even the big Khabib Nurmagomedov seemed to pursue the success of Dana White in that area.
Hooker recently followed the example with the announcement of “King of the Streets” in his home country of Zeeland.
But plans for the striking event have attracted the attention of the boxing authorities – and it is safe to say that they are far from happy.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
President of New -Zeeland Boxing Association then calls on Hooker's Wild 'King of the Streets' event
Hooker's “King of the Street” event is planned for Saturday in Auckland. It is advertised as a boxing tournament fought in MMA gloves, with a winner-Hakers-Alles of $ 50,000.
In videos on social media, 'The Hangman' explained the format and notes that the fighting of one minute will not have a weight limit.
A piece of promotional material contained an approval of Hooker's teammate and colleague UFC star Israel Adesanya.
“Bring the family, bring the WHANAU, bring everyone, come and see, you are eliminated or make someone out the f ***,” said Adesanya.
Hooker apparently had little trouble finding competitors, and even claims that he puts too many hunters in line. But not everyone shares that level of enthusiasm.
The president of the Boxing Coaches Association of New Zealand even closed the planned event while spoke with Checkpoint. He even went so far that he suggested that someone could be 'killed'.
“The rules are very different [in boxing]”Said Billy Meehan.” For starters we do not do rounds of one minute. You tell the man in the corner to go out and break the other man as well as possible. Boxing is an art form; It is a sport and this is direct criminals.
“What you have there are just criminals who go in and go out and they are just as if they beat each other and we are going to see someone being seriously injured, if not killed.
“It must be punished by a sanctioning body. They don't even advertise where they hold this, so the police clearly don't even know.
“People who can keep boxing tournaments are actually mentioned on the wrestling and boxing act. Then Hooker is not on the wrestling and boxing act.”
Dan Hooker's History of Octagon Verseld has made him a favorite fan
When it comes to discouraging whore of an act of combat sports violence, the boxing authorities can have their work cut out.
'The Hangman' has become known for his willingness to fight and put his own body on the line in the octhoek.
That was completely visible on the International Fight Week in 2023, where Hooker pushed incredible adversity to overcome from a Barnburner against Jalin Turner.
Hooker's poorly broken arm in the round one threatened to end his hope for the victory at UFC 290 in Las Vegas, but the Always Game New Zealander gathered to secure two of the three scorecards of the jury members.
Similar violence would probably have been seen as Hooker's planned collision with Justin Gaethje de Kooi in March 2025.
A broken hand forced 'The Hangman' from UFC 313 on late notification, and the Fan Forveite continues to restore to the sidelines, without a return date on the calendar.