IShowSpeed sparring with UFC star Dan Hooker highlights mismatch in cage at City Kickboxing

IShowSpeed’s adventurous 2024 streaming tour took a bruising turn in New Zealand when he stepped into the cage with UFC veteran Dan Hooker. Known for his bold personality, the streamer visited City Kickboxing, the renowned gym that has produced MMA superstars like Israel Adesanya and Kai Kara-France, but quickly learned the price of challenging an elite fighter.

Walking into the gym with his signature confidence, Speed greeted trainers and up-and-coming athletes, declaring, “Nobody in here can beat me at boxing.” After a brief sparring session with an amateur, which left him momentarily shaken, Speed adjusted the rules to better suit his strengths. However, his bravado was tested further when Dan Hooker, a 10-year UFC veteran with 24 wins, entered the cage. Speed, cautious about the UFC star’s capabilities, insisted, “No kicking… Let’s do boxing.”

What followed was a spectacle of endurance and humility. Speed tried to keep his distance, circling the edges of the octagon, but moments of hesitation allowed Hooker to capitalize. The Hangman dropped the streamer multiple times, laughing as he said, “Welcome to my world, brother.” When Speed protested about a weight difference, Hooker quipped, “I’m lighter than you,” highlighting the uphill battle Speed faced. Clips of the match, including one where Speed was left clutching his ribs, quickly went viral, with fans praising his courage and laughing at his antics.

After the match, Speed admitted, “He got me good… I could tell you were going easy on me.” Hooker returned the compliment on Instagram, calling Speed “balls of steel.” While his UFC dreams may be out of reach, Speed’s resilience and charisma hint at a promising future in the influencer boxing realm.